This passion project was a heartfelt tribute to Seola from WJSN, my favourite idol. Since her birthday coincides with Christmas, I conceptualised "Under the Mistletoe", a play on words that captured both the festive spirit and the warmth of fan celebrations. To make the event truly special, I curated an immersive experience, designing everything from banners and decorations to personalised gifts and a themed café space inspired by one of WJSN’s music videos. I wanted to craft a unique moment for fellow fans to connect and share their admiration for Seola.
Bringing this event to life was a meticulous process that required both creativity and strategic planning. With no prior experience in event management, I took on every aspect from conceptualising the theme and sourcing materials to liaising with vendors and overseeing logistics. Ensuring a cohesive visual identity was crucial, so I carefully designed each element to enhance the immersive experience.
Negotiating with suppliers, particularly around minimum order constraints, was a key part of the process, pushing me to refine my communication and problem-solving skills. Despite working within a limited budget, I managed to create a visually compelling and memorable event which I was really proud of!
This project tested my resilience in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Without a network of fellow fans to rely on, I had to navigate the complexities of organising a large-scale café event entirely on my own. The logistical demands from coordinating shipments to handling unexpected supplier issues were overwhelming. Fortunately, my brother provided invaluable support, helping me manage the workload.
While the financial strain was significant, the biggest takeaway was the relationships I built along the way. What started as a solo endeavour ultimately became a community-driven experience, proving that passion and perseverance can turn challenges into meaningful milestones.
As gather the misfits cafe has a space where we can do whatever we want, I created a section where fans can take photos of the event while watching WJSN/Seola fancams while hanging out! I always wanted to create a space where fans get to interact with each other considering this was the period of time when COVID was at its peak.