Apopfe is short for the Asian Pop Festival. The first-ever Apopfe was held on June 22-23, 2024, in Korea, marking the birth of a new festival celebrating Asian musicians. This festival's most significant feature is its diverse lineup, encompassing genres from rock and jazz to folk and electronic, bringing together stars from the indie scene. Notably, it showcases musicians not only from Korea but from across Asia.
Unlike many summer music festivals in Korea that focus on specific genres like rock and are held outdoors without convenient facilities, the Apopfe is hosted at a five-star hotel next to Incheon Airport. Despite the luxurious venue, ticket prices are relatively affordable (one-day pass at 110,000 KRW / ~$85, two-day pass at 170,000 KRW / ~$130).
The festival has garnered attention for featuring significant acts such as Shintaro Sakamoto, the Japanese psychedelic legend, making his first appearance in Korea; Japanese Breakfast, the Korean-American indie rock artist and author of "Crying in H Mart"; and Taiwan's representative rock band, No Party for Caodong. These performances have generated buzz among music enthusiasts. The festival is also notable for being organized by Park Jung-yong, a Korean Popular Music Awards judge known for promoting Asian music through Hongdae’s live club day, heightening expectations among music fans.
One of the standout aspects of the festival was its venue, Paradise City resort in Korea, offering amenities no other concert venue can match. The availability of clean, high-quality restrooms and dining options significantly enhanced the experience.
The festival provided numerous restrooms, powder rooms, and clean facilities maintained by diligent staff. The utilization of the hotel’s various spaces like plazas and convention centers meant that convenience stores, restrooms, dining areas, and lounges were readily available. This festival's significant advantage is offering diverse options for rest and comfort, unlike typical outdoor festivals in Korea.
- Incheon Airport Terminal 1(1st Floor, Stop 3C: Every hour at 05 and 35 minutes)
- Operating Hours:
- The festival featured four stages, allowing attendees to choose performances according to their preferences, preventing overcrowding.
- Sound and lighting were excellent across all stages, both indoors and outdoors.
- Outdoor stages had well-distributed standing and picnic areas.
- Adequate staff placement ensured easy navigation and safety, even in inclement weather.
The festival utilized the Queens Smile app for ordering food from food trucks at the outdoor Paradise Stage, allowing attendees to pick up their meals at reserved times without waiting in line. This app also facilitated luggage locker reservations and shuttle bus ticket purchases, showcasing a system increasingly adopted by other festivals.
- Each stage offered different food and beverage options, contributing to distinct atmospheres and concepts.
- Paradise Stage featured dishes like chicken gangjeong, beef bowls, hot dogs, chicken skewers, beer, highballs, and wine.
- The adjacent City Stage allowed drinks but no food from outside.
- Rubic and Chroma Stages provided their own alcoholic beverages, with Chroma Stage especially suited for DJ performances.
Various booths sold festival and artist merchandise, adding to the fun. However, the popular slogan towels sold out quickly, suggesting a need for more stock in future events.
- At the picnic area of the Paradise Stage, you can leave your mat without worrying about it being moved or stolen, allowing for free movement. This is a unique aspect of Korean culture.
- Bringing a small parasol-style umbrella is beneficial.
- Chairs with backs are allowed and recommended for comfort.
- There is a luggage storage area, so bringing a suitcase is no problem.
Experiencing live performances from a wide range of genres was incredibly enjoyable. The Apopfe uniquely allows attendees to appreciate the full range of music by hosting rock, psychedelic, and EDM outdoors, while folk, jazz, and other instrumental-focused performances are held indoors. This diversity lets attendees discover new artists and genres.
By maximizing the advantages of music, food, and facilities, the festival achieved the ultimate goal of entertainment for its audience. It was a successful event, raising high expectations for the next iteration. The photos remind me of the joyful moments, making me eager to return. If the second festival is held at Paradise City in Korea, I highly recommend attending. Don’t miss out!
