The fan who can finally afford a ticket

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 15, 2026

Dre Tan, a lifelong BigBang fan, fulfilled her dream of attending the group's concerts after years of saving and traveling to see their performances across Asia. Her story underscores the deep emotional connection and perseverance fans often have toward their favorite artists, with BigBang's music providing lasting comfort throughout her adolescence and early adulthood.

At 26, Dre Tan is finally able to fulfill a long-held dream of attending a BigBang concert as a dedicated fan who has patiently waited years to see the group live. Tan's journey began at age 12, when she printed out a photo of her favorite BigBang member, T.O.P, and resolved that she would one day see him in person. Early opportunities proved elusive; when the band performed in Singapore during their Alive tour in 2012, she was unable to afford a ticket. Her older brother purchased a BigBang cap to lift her spirits instead.

Despite the band’s return to Singapore in 2015, Tan, who was then still in school, was still unable to attend, leaving her feeling disappointed. Over the intervening years, she maintained her devotion while managing her studies and work as a pharmacy technician. Now enrolled in a private university pursuing a business degree, she has continued to save diligently, anticipating future concert opportunities despite lacking a full-time job.

Tan’s commitment led her to travel beyond Singapore to experience BigBang’s performances. She attended G-Dragon’s Unternehmensch tour stop in Kuala Lumpur after the 2025 leg of the tour bypassed Singapore. She also saw his show at Singapore's Formula 1 race in October 2025 and participated in a fan meeting in Bangkok in February 2026. This year, Tan has already traveled to South Korea to attend the XX : Cosmos event and plans to attend both of BigBang’s Singapore concerts as well as the Kuala Lumpur show scheduled for January 2027.

Securing a ticket for her preferred category in Kuala Lumpur brought Tan to tears, an emotional milestone for the fan who usually maintains a composed demeanor toward her idols. Among BigBang’s extensive discography, the 2012 song “Blue” holds a special place for Tan, as it was a source of comfort during her O-level studies. She credits the group with being a steady presence throughout her adolescence and early adulthood.

Reflecting on her enduring fandom, Tan expressed gratitude to BigBang for providing the chance to experience their music live once more before she intends to conclude her K-pop journey and focus on her academic pursuits. Her story highlights a fan’s long-term dedication and the personal significance of music across the years.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.