From nosebleed seats to digital front rows, the quest for the perfect K-pop fancam is driving fans to rent high-end smartphones. We delve into the real-world experience of using a rented Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at Seventeen’s Seoul concert, exploring the pros, cons, and the ultimate fan dilemma: capture every moment or live in the present?
The global phenomenon of K-pop has cultivated an incredibly devoted fan base, known as fandoms, whose passion transcends geographical boundaries and traditional entertainment consumption. A significant part of this dedication manifests in the desire to capture and share every moment, especially through “fancams” – fan-shot videos of their favorite idols performing live. This trend has not only reshaped concert etiquette but also ignited a new market: high-end smartphone rentals tailored specifically for concert-goers.
For many fans, securing a ticket to a K-pop concert, particularly for a mega-group like Seventeen, is already a “blood sport,” as described by journalist Cheryl Teh in her account of attending Seventeen’s world tour in Incheon, South Korea. The next challenge often becomes getting that perfect shot of a “bias” – a fan’s favorite group member – especially when seated far from the stage.
The Rise of the Fancam Dilemma: Quality vs. Convenience
While many modern smartphones boast impressive cameras, the specific demands of concert photography – extreme zoom, low light, and dynamic movement – often push standard devices to their limits. Fans commonly experience disappointment when their personal phones, even high-end models like an iPhone 16, fail to capture their idols with the clarity and detail seen in professional or fan-site footage.
This pursuit of perfection has led to innovative solutions, ranging from attaching binocular lenses to phones to, more recently, renting specialized devices. The idea is to circumvent the need to purchase an entirely new, expensive phone for a single event, much like photographers might rent specific lenses for a shoot, as discussed within fan communities. This growing trend underscores the unique demands of the K-pop concert experience.
Renting the Tech: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Experience
The Samsung Galaxy Ultra series has long been lauded for its powerful zoom capabilities, making models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra a prime candidate for concert fancams. Cheryl Teh, driven by her desire to capture Joshua Hong of Seventeen, opted to rent a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for one day from Snapshoot, a phone rental company in Seoul, at a cost of $39.71. This decision highlights a growing service specifically targeting concert attendees.
The rental process was designed to be convenient, with easy pickup and drop-off at a café in Seoul’s Hongdae district. Upon testing, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 20x zoom function proved significantly superior to her personal iPhone 16, clearly capturing details even from a fifth-floor, “nosebleed” seat. This initial success reaffirmed the rental’s potential to bridge the gap between distant seating and high-quality footage.
Navigating the Challenges of Live Fancams
However, the real-world application presented its own set of challenges. Despite the phone’s technical prowess, factors like shaky hands from excitement, dynamic stage movements, and the glare of stadium lights impacted the final video quality. “Skill issues got in the way, and some of my videos ended up looking shaky,” Teh observed, highlighting that even top-tier equipment can’t fully compensate for the inherent difficulties of live concert filming.
The distance from the stage also played a crucial role. While the 20x zoom could capture details, a five-story elevation meant that truly exceptional, fan-site-level footage remained elusive. This suggests that the effectiveness of such a rental largely depends on the user’s proximity to the stage.
Fan Community Weighs In: Is It Worth It?
The concept of renting phones for concerts is gaining traction in some regions, with services offering models like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, S22 Ultra, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, typically ranging from $18 to $80 per rental. This emerging market directly addresses the desire for superior camera quality without the commitment of purchasing a new device, a common sentiment echoed in fan discussions.
However, opinions within the fan community are mixed. While some readily embrace the idea for its practicality and cost-effectiveness compared to buying a new phone, others, especially those in regions where such services are less common, express surprise at the very notion. The shared dilemma, as one fan articulated, is wanting to “capture special moments from the K-pop concert” when cameras are often restricted, and personal phone cameras fall short.
Ultimately, the experience highlights a deeper fan sentiment: the balance between documenting and living the moment. Teh noted that after a while, she found herself “staring at the Samsung phone screen than enjoying the concert.” Putting the phone down and simply immersing herself in the music and atmosphere of Seventeen’s performance – singing along to tracks like “Fortunate Change” and “Rock With You” – proved to be a more enjoyable experience.
The Long-Term Impact on Fan Culture and Tech
The success of groups like Seventeen, which notably broke BTS’s album sales record with 4.5 million copies of their “FML” album in its first week, indicates a powerful and engaged fan base, as reported by Business Insider. This dedication fuels the demand for innovative solutions, including phone rentals, to enhance the fan experience. The “system of bias-ing” and ample supply of individual merchandise further solidifies the connection between fans and idols, translating into significant revenue for agencies like HYBE.
While Cheryl Teh concluded that she likely wouldn’t rent a phone again unless closer to the stage, the experiment was a success in terms of acquiring better-quality footage than her own phone could provide. It also offered valuable insight into the evolving interplay between fan culture and portable technology.
The trend of concert-specific phone rentals may continue to grow, particularly as smartphone cameras advance. For tech-savvy fans, it represents a practical bridge to achieving their recording aspirations without breaking the bank on a new device. However, as Teh’s experience shows, the true magic of a live concert often lies beyond the lens, in the collective energy and shared joy of the moment.
For more detailed insights into the fan experience at Seventeen’s concerts and the impact of K-pop culture, you can refer to the comprehensive coverage by Business Insider.
