How To Get To KCon When You’re Broke

Posted By: Ajummah Posted On: December 23, 2014

It’s the end of the year, and I know that lots of my fellow Hallyu lovers are making their resolutions and goals for the new year. Attending KCon is probably on your list (I know it’s on mine). I already feel like I’m behind schedule because I haven’t saved on cent yet towards this particular goal.

But Ajummah, it’s just December! KCon probably won’t be until August! You have plenty of time, right?

Not if you’re broke you don’t. If you’ve been reading my blog or know me via Twitter, you know my struggle/journey to KCon 2014. I scrapped and pinched pennies (and maxed out my credit card) to get there. A marvelous time was had by all!

Now maxed out credit card aside (please don’t do that) I have some helpful tips to help you not break the bank while getting to KCon.

1. Save as much as you can, as soon as you can. I know this may sound silly, but this is key. If you want to attend KCon (or any other event, concert, etc) then you’re going to have to make sacrifices. If you’re an adult, skip eating out and save that $5, $10 and put it in your kcon bank. If you are under 18 or don’t have a job, save your allowance.

I even went so far as picking up pennies/change from the ground. People laughed, but I went to freaking KCon.

Not sure how much to save? Just check my post where I broke everything down.

2. Attend KCon for Free. I’m not talking about sneaking on a flight, crashing someone’s hotel room & climbing over fences to get into KCon, or anything crazy like that. But last year, KCon was all about the vloggers/bloggers and people in the know. If you were moderately successful doing your thing in the Hallyu bloggersphere, and the people at KCon took notice, then you had the opportunity to be invited to attend and be on a panel. You were given a comp ticket to one (or both) of the concert nights, and all you needed to do was be awesome at whatever panel at which you were speaking.

*I don’t know why I wasn’t chosen for one of those panels, but hey I’m not bitter*

A lot of the panels were great and informative. This is a great way to save on those pricey tickets ($200+ for both nights) but you have to be serious about whatever niche of the Hallyu world you’re in, in order to get noticed.

Okay so you’ve saved your money, got invited by Hoon, whatever…you’re GOING TO KCON!!!

Now what? Where will you stay? How will you get around?

Not to worry, I’ve got you covered once more!

LA is an expensive town and hotels there are ridiculously pricey. If you waited until almost the last minute, and hotel rooms are sold out or too expensive don’t fret. Airbnb is to the rescue!

3. Go Airbnb! I cannot express how happy I was with the place my friend and I stayed in. If you don’t know about Airbnb, its a site where people can rent rooms or apartments (or houses if you’re balling like that) at a decent price. The apt. where we stayed was so beautiful with floor to ceiling windows… I wish I had taken pictures to show it off.

My friend and I got a better deal on that room for the 3 days we were there then if we would have tried for a hotel. Plus it was nice to go back to a quiet place after experiencing all the crazy loud noises that was KCon. Yes the place was a bit farther than hotels to the KCon event but that’s okay because….

4. Uber for the win. I knew I had no money for taxis or renting a car, so Uber was definitely the way to go. They had a special running during the summer where every ride was like 10% off AND if you gave people your referal link when they downloaded the app (available for android & iPhone users) you got a percentage off your ride. All we needed was rides to and from the event, with the occasional late night run for food.

My experience of last year’s KCon was filled with positives. I know I said to my friends (and possibly on some blog posts) that I was one and done but… it’s like a drug. I want to go back to KCon, lol. Hopefully with the tips I’ve learned and shared, I’ll be able to attend. *updated to say* I made a video on some more tips on how to get afford Kcon!