KCON 2022 Panel Recap #3: A Guide to Cup Sleeve Events
There are few events that epitomize what K-pop fandoms are all about better than cup sleeve events, meet-ups where fans can celebrate a particular K-pop act, band member, or occasion. Customized drink orders and free goodies are most often designed by the host, who gives cup sleeves to all who attend. These parties include photo opps and other things to do, sometimes focused on a clear theme. Cup sleeve events are a chance to show appreciation for everything from an artist’s birthday to their friendship with another artist, meaning these get-togethers are sometimes focused on a specific situation and other times simply an excuse to spend time with fellow fans while appreciating a shared idol! Since cup sleeve events are something non-K-pop fans are likely unfamiliar with, it was interesting to hear about these events from a panel of previous event hosts while trying to get into the mindset of someone learning about them for the first time.
While attendees got to doodle on their own cup sleeves, the panelists broke down the ins and outs of these events, repeating several times the importance of starting to plan far in advance. They gave interesting advice regarding how to spread the word about a cup sleeve event (geotagging the location of the event on social media posts is a huge help, as well as putting up flyers in stores that permit it), how to receive a return on investments (partnering with vendors and offering some for-pay merchandise are ways to make up for the money spent on manufacturing, supplies, and freebies), and how to be the best host possible. One panelist recalled building an eight-foot-tall BTS logo for photo opps, bringing home the point that much more time and effort goes into cup sleeve events than it sounds.
When sharing advice for first-time hosts, panelists gave a reminder to not get so worried about things going well that one forgets to just have fun! They also reassured people to not be hard on themselves and allow themselves to learn and grow from their first experiences hosting. Lastly, they insisted there is no point in comparing one’s own cup sleeve event to anyone else’s, since what works well for one person does not necessarily work well for a different host, and there is nothing wrong with that.
A topic the panelists kept circling back to: they do not host these events for the money. They each expressed genuine love for the communities they have created through these get-togethers. They shared stories of forming lifelong friendships there, breaking out of their shells through these social interactions, and feeling connected despite the lack of concerts the past couple of years. Cup sleeve events actually skyrocketed in popularity in 2020, because they served as a relatively safe, socially-distanced way to partake in something in a not-too-big crowd. One panelist even recalled a time when there were about a dozen cup sleeve events across California in a single weekend!
Another particularly interesting topic the panelists discussed: the transferability of the skills they’ve honed by hosting these events. They explained how hosting cup sleeve events has taught them about time management, business relations, outreach work, organization, designing, and event-planning. One panelist even revealed she now includes hosting these events on her resume, and employers have reacted positively to learning she can be relied on to host and organize projects.
Hearing about cup sleeve event hosts’ experiences at this KCON workshop was thought-provoking, inspiring, and a huge reminder of how special it is to be in K-pop fandoms!
For more KCON coverage, check out my podcast episode, convention review, concert review, photo diary, highlight video, and a final piece coming to this newsletter later this week!
Check out my other panel recaps below!
Disclosure: Reiner Acuario, one of the panelists, is a former 17 Carat K-Pop guest.