How to Make the Most of Your “UNTACT” Concert Experience

We all miss the rush of planning to attend a concert, but due to the pandemic, things are a little different. Here are some things to help you make the most of it. 

A Little Vocabulary Lesson 

With the increase in events happening online, there are a few words that viewers will encounter as they make their decision about which events they would like to “attend.” Here are a few words that fans may stumble across when perusing event details. 

Untact: Untact is a Konglish word that is the mix of “contact” and the negative prefix “un.” It’s the word that is being used to describe “contactless” things. It’s a buzzword that has made its way into the Western world as well.  

MultiView/MultiCam: This is when you have the option for more than the standard face front view of an event. Most popular in K-Pop events, you can have as many as one camera per member, and then front and side views of the entire stage. For some events this may cost more, for others it could be considered part of the initial ticket package. 

VOD: VOD is an acronym for Video on Demand. This is what you should look for if you want to eventually be able to watch the concert again. If you do not see this acronym or a version of it, the online event is a one-time view only. 

Prepping for the Concert

Just like an in-person concert, an online concert needs a significant amount of preparation for the best concert experience. From location to lightsticks, it’s always important to be prepped so you never have to miss a moment. 

Triple Check the Time and Streaming Location 

With events happening online all across the world, knowing what time your event happens is the first thing that should be confirmed. Missing half an event, or worse, the whole thing, can easily be avoided by knowing the right time conversions between your country and the country that the event is taking place in. You can find the time difference using any search engine. It is always important to double-check what time the announcement has because they may not take into account things like daylight savings time that are not normal occurrences around the world.

The second thing to check is where the event is streaming. For a lot of Korean groups, they rely on V-LIVE; however, some groups may choose to use a different service. Try the service out by logging into it and checking that your device can run the website; this will ensure that you have a smooth viewing experience. 

Devices Charged and Batteries Located 

Find batteries for your lightsticks and make sure your phones, laptops, and portable charges are full for the ultimate fan experience. Everyone hates when they try to send a message, take a picture, or capture a screenshot and their devices die. With the upgraded technology, lightsticks can be synced to the event as if you were in the concert venue. When it comes to lightsticks, when it doubt always replace batteries with fresh ones because you never know how long it has been since you last used them. 

While “Attending” the Concert

An in-person concert always needs comfy shoes, portable chargers, and clothes that let you dance and jump freely; an untact concert has some things for you to consider for the ultimate viewing experience. 

Comfortable Viewing Zone

Where are you going to watch the event? Will it be at home? Will it be on your laptop with headphones? Will it be cast to your television? These are things to consider while watching the event. Wherever you watch, make sure there is plenty of space to dance and move, while at the same time have space to flop over and cry if the mood strikes. Concerts are emotional rollercoasters and the convenience of an untact concert is that you can experience these emotions in the comfort of your own home. Pillows and blankets are great to have on standby for all those moments. 

Snacks and Beverages

The worst part of concerts in a venue is the cost of drinks and snacks. On the rare occasion that there is a concession stand at a concert, the cost of simple things like a bottle of water can feel like they are ripping your wallet apart. The other instance is that you cannot bring anything into the event, leaving you dehydrated and starving by the end. When attending an untact event you can prepare whatever beverages and snacks that your heart desires without fear of the cost or someone taking it from you. For those of age in their home countries, this means that you can have a wineglass in one hand and your lightstick in the other. What more can you ask for? 

After the Concert 

Depending on the time the concert finishes, there are a ton of options for post-concert activities. Some may need a nap as they woke up to view the concert or stayed up significantly past their bedtime. While the post-concert feelings are not as strong as they may be in person, it’s important to cope and work through everything in the way you feel is best. Some may want to sleep away their feelings; others need to keyboard smash to someone they know will listen. Take it all in stride. The most important thing is to take care of yourself. 

Final Thoughts

While the state of live music is still uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies and idols are trying their best to provide some semblance of normalcy with these events. Whether a free or paid stream, it is a great way to still connect with artists who no doubt miss you as much as you miss them. Having them at home gives a ton of freedom on how to watch and support your favorite K-Pop group.  

Have any pictures from how you view untact concerts? Tag us @KrazeMagazine on Twitter and Instagram and will share our favorites!