As the title says, I saw Monsta X not long ago! I still can't get over what happened and I'm still so happy. 

If you're lazy to read what happened before, just skip over to the diamonds separating where I started talking about actually seeing them. 

Monsta X had an open press conference in my country, and since I couldn't go for their concert, I wanted to try and go for the press conference. See, my parents, particularly my dad, has always been such a strict person. He doesn't let me go for concerts, which means I always don't have a chance to see my favourite idol groups live. Furthermore, even if I wanted to see them at the airport, they would always arrive or depart at night, and my parents are strict on me going out or going home at night. Got7 would do a press conference often, however, but I realised their timing would be nearing night time. Weekend? Nah, "Family time".  All in all, there's no chance for me to see my faves at all. 

Then there was news that Monsta X would be having a concert here, and I knew I couldn't go, so I didn't bother. As much as I love them since debut, my past experiences trying to talk to my parents to let me see them, but ending up rejected and lectured, had made me lost all hope. I could only support them by other ways. But, there was another sudden news that they would hold a press conference that would be open to the public, and it would be on a weekday afternoon. My first thought was "perfect!". So I talked to my mom about it, and she allowed me, and she told me to ask my dad first. And I did. I was so afraid of being rejected again, but because the timing and everything seemed fine, he actually gave me permission! One thing, though, was that I couldn't go alone. I asked my friends if anyone was going but none replied me... lol. I knew one friend who liked Monsta X too, but she didn't reply so... yeah. 

In the end, I pushed down my fear of interacting with strangers and asked on twitter if anyone would go with me. Someone did message me though, and I'm so glad she was nice. We ended up getting each other's contacts and planned to meet there. 

On the day itself, I had another fear-- that my dad would suddenly change his mind. This was because there was once when Seventeen came to my country, and I asked my dad if I could go see them at the airport with my friend. He said 'yes' at first, and I was so excited the whole day in school. But just before my last lesson ended, he told me I couldn't go, and that I must go home straight away. The heartbreak I felt.... I honestly thought I would break down crying on the bus on the way home. I just love Seventeen that much. 

However, the day would go as planned, and my dad really did give me the green light. I tried not to get my hopes up and be all excited, because I knew that would only lead to a greater disappointment, so I didn't freak out too much about it. 

Hours later, I was at the press conference venue. The moment I arrived, saw the stage with a huge poster of Monsta X, heard their songs blasting, I thought, "I'm here. I'm really here. Does this mean I'll be seeing them?" And then I had another fear, that the press conference could be cancelled because it was ing outdoors and it could rain anytime soon. 

That fear aside, I set myself a mission on where I should stand. So ignoring what my newfound Monbebe friend suggested, I stood right at the back of the crowd facing the stage. It was hot. And there were too many umbrellas to count. Then, my Monbebe friend texted me and told me to see if there were any tables at the cafe next to the venue, and so I went and surprise, surprise, it was full of other Monbebes hoping to get a clear view of Monsta X from there. 

And so, I ended up standing at the entrance, where I noticed that the path leading to the stage would be connected to the entrance of the mall. So I stood there and waited for my friend. 

Turns out, my friend and I were right, because soon, we were barricaded off to the side to prepare for Monsta X's arrival. Then... It started raining. Heavily. A lot of us were afraid it would be cancelled or cut short, but most of us were also worried for those Monbebes caught in the rain. As for me, I was lucky enough to stand under the shade (I had forgotten tog rab my umbrella as I left my house). Fortunately, it wasn't cancelled, and the members arrived. I didn't manage to stand right at the front, but I did get a good view of them. Furthermore, I brought my selfie stick so that I could at least capture them, and my arms won't block those behind me. 

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The first Monsta X member I first laid eyes on was Jooheon, and ohmygosh I didn't think he was real. He looks so good looking yet so cute. As each member walked past, I just couldn't believe it, Monsta X is right there! I'm seeing them at last! When I saw Hyungwon, under the umbrella preparing to walk towards the stage under the tent, I swear to you, he was glowing. It might seem like an exaggeration, but to me it isn't. Pictures and videos of Monsta X don't do them enough justice for how they actually look like in real life. 

Once they were on stage, the entrance was closed, and we moved with it. I stood in the middle, right behind the barrier, because I knew that once they leave and the barrier has to be opened, I could stay at the front. I didn't get much view of the stage, especially due to the number of umbrellas, but once in a while, I did see them as they walked to the front of it. Furthermore, the members would turn to the side and wave at us, and they were worried for those who were drenched in the rain. I love them. 

After everything was done, and the rain stopped, it was time for them to leave. They waved goodbye one by one, and again, didn't forget to turn to the side. 

Then, the barrier was moved to open the entrance for them, and my friend and I realised we were right at the front, and that means Monsta X would walk right in front of us. Ohmygod. Is this happening? 

I still held onto my now shortened selfie stick so that I could stabilise my phone, because I knew I would shake too much. (Yeah, so much for stabilisation). I had also planned in my head that I would tell them to enjoy their time here (sure I did).

When Monsta X started to leave the stage and walk towards the exit, towards where we were, I was so excited. First to walk by was Wonho, and I remember just waving to him and shouting 'bye!'. And then it was Kihyun and Minhyuk, who waved at us. I completedly lost my by then, because I think Minhyuk took a glance at my direction. Next was Shownu, who actually walked quite close to my side. I waved at him, and I think he looked at my direction as well. The thing that confused me however, was that as I reached my hand out of the barrier to wave goodbye, Shownu's hand was outstretched, as if for a highfive, but I was so afraid that wasn't the case, and I didn't want to just touch him... Lol. 

But then I realised that he did try to highfive the fans.

Because I.M., or Changkyun as how I'm going to refer him as, suddenly twirled around in front of the fans, highfiving as many fans at one go. 

And  me, he looked at my hand and touched it. Or I touched it. Either way, it was a ing highfive. Pardon my language, but I ing highfived Im Changkyun, my wholeass bias in Monsta X. If I said I lost my earlier, I became completely nuts. I don't remember if I shouted "Bye!" to everyone, or I simply screamed. I honestly did not remember what I did. I only remember seeing Changkyun right in front of me. I totally forgot to tell them what I'd plan earlier which was such a waste. Jooheon came by as well, but was highfiving the fans on the other side. 

By then, I had also totally forgot that I was recording everything on my phone, because it didn't even face Hyungwon when he walked by with a huge smile on his face, and highfived everyone. I reached out for one as well, because who would turn down this fanservice? And he did highfive me. Chae Hyungwon highfived me. I'm dead. 

I still remember the feeling of both Changkyun and Hyungwon's hands. They weren't exactly soft like baby soft, but were quite rough instead. And just... Wow. The feeling of their hands was nice. Not trying to sound creepy at all. Just for those who're wondering what their hands felt like. It was my first time willingly touching a guy's hand in my 20 years, as humourous as it may sound. 

After everyone walked by, I could only remember screaming as I collapsed slouched against the barrier in front of me. (I saw another fan's video which captured my face in disbelief and excitement as I actually almost collapsed on the barrier). 

When I got home that day, I thought, Did I just dream everything? Is this one of my other fantasies of meeting my idols? But then I watched the video, and knew that I wasn't.

I had the same thought the next day, but found a video of another fan opposite me, which captured my hand touching Hyungwon's. And I knew I wasn't dreaming.

But doubt still crawled down my back, and I still thought it was a dream. One of the reasons also being that I had travelled to the venue alone. Me, a lazy, low-life who would prefer to stay at home. But then I watched my videos I manage to capture (which was unfortunately dark and couldn't capture most of the members), and played it in slow speed.

It was then I realised my hand was in the frame at one point. And Changkyun tapped it. Willingly. 

So...... I really, really, really, knew I wasn't dreaming.

This is real.

I saw Monsta X up close for the first time. 

All I wanted was just to see their faces, even from afar. I couldn't go for their concert, so just seeing their faces was going to make me happy.

Instead, I got way more than that, and I was grateful. Still am, though. 

Everything had went so perfectly for me, that it's surreal. Where I stood that day was perfect. I was lucky I didn't continue standing behind the big crowd, as it rained. I was lucky I didn't sat at the cafe nearby, because the moment it rained, the "curtains" had to be closed, so I really wouldn't have been able to see anything. And I was definitely lucky to stand where I did, because it got me a chance to see my idols up front.

Did I mention, the friend that I knew who liked Monsta X, but didn't reply me if she was going, was there too? I saw her enter the venue, and saw her snapchat of her having an upfront view of the members in the mall as well, although no highfives were involved. Well... Not trying to sound bitter, but my newfound Monbebe friend who offered to go with me instead, got a highfive from Hyungwon so...

That aside, Monsta X would be the first of my favourite idols that I see up close with my very own eyes. And I'm just so happy. 

Thank you, Monsta X, for making me so so so so so so happy. The happiest I've ever been.

And I guess I have my parents to thank too for actually allowing my 20 year old to go out and see them. :')

To those who were like me, and feel as though you will never get to see your faves, never give up! Just like me, I felt that way too, but as much as I'm actually afraid of my dad, I'd take the risk of being nagged at endlessly and ask him if I could go. And after years, I finally did get to see one of my favourite idol groups. :)