We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mary Nguyen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mary, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
It all began in 2022 when I was working as a social media intern for Eclipse Group, a Dallas-based entertainment company, when I noticed a lack of events catering to the K-pop community in the area. Due to the genre’s relative unfamiliarity and its status as an emerging demographic, most venues and clubs were hesitant to take the risk. Encouraged by my mentor, Peter Bui, I organized my first K-pop event in less than 24 hours—from planning to promotion. This event became an after-party for the Enhypen: Manifesto Tour at Ampersand in Fort Worth, marking my first significant risk. Determined to bridge the gap between nightlife and K-pop, the event gained significant traction, drawing over 120 attendees within a very short promotional period. However, despite the positive turnout, the venue and company incurred a financial loss. While most would avoid discussing the downsides of their ventures, I believe this risk was pivotal in shaping the person I am today. With encouragement from my mentors and positive feedback from the community, I became even more determined to create better experiences for K-pop fans. This experience marked a turning point in my journey, transitioning from being an intern to gaining valuable insight into the backend of the business and what it takes to create successful events.
Mary, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I usually prefer to stay behind the scenes and keep my name private, so this will be my first time sharing who I am. My name is Mary Nguyen, and I am a 24-year-old majoring in Management and Marketing at the University of Texas at Arlington. By the time this article is published, I will have graduated. I entered the event industry in 2021 when I met my mentor, Peter Bui, who had just started Eclipse. I initially joined the company as a Social Media Intern, and as my skills grew and I gained more experience, my role evolved into project management.
At K-pop Next Door, our mission is to create memorable experiences for K-pop fans by blending the K-pop and nightlife experiences through events where you can enjoy live music by the DJs or meet new friends who have the same interest as you. We stand out by integrating K-pop genres with other styles like EDM and Anime by hosting innovative themed events such as Seoul to Tokyo, Frostbyte, etc. Our ultimate goal is to provide niche audiences with a space to celebrate and express their love for diverse music styles.
I am most proud of the supportive community and the talented team members who have significantly contributed to K-pop Next Door’s success. A special shoutout to Tiffany Demesi, Alex Sofia, and the rest of the team for sustaining and building the foundation of what K-pop Next Door is today.
If you had asked me if I ever imagined being where I am today, I would have been in disbelief. We’re now hosting events in multiple states such as Atlanta, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. The success of these events has solidified our reputation for catering to K-pop fans and creating unforgettable experiences within the community. And this is just the beginning—we have exciting plans to deliver even more unique K-pop experiences in the future!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal has always been to expand into different cities through tours, enhance our productions through collaborations, and book high-profile artists and DJs. Our vision is to elevate the scale and quality of our events, creating unforgettable experiences for fans while fostering strong partnerships within the K-pop industry.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
While many people only see the final result of our events through pictures and videos, the extensive planning and effort that go into creating such experiences often go unnoticed. Hosting events involves far more than enjoying the atmosphere or playing music; it requires mastering a wide range of planning. These include effectively marketing to a niche audience, negotiating with venues, curating the ambiance, managing event-day operations, ensuring the music and overall experience align with expectations, and maintaining financial viability. Planning typically begins at least a month in advance and involves weeks of dedication to content creation and pre-event marketing to guarantee a strong turnout. For niche communities like K-pop fans, it also means deeply understanding their unique preferences and crafting an experience that truly resonates. Despite the challenges and stress along the way, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the K-pop community grow and come together in a shared space. Even though our events may not be as large in scale as others, I’m grateful to be able to create a safe space where fans can enjoy what they love!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/kpopnxtdoor
- Instagram: @kpopnxtdoor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpopnxtdoor/
- Twitter: @kpopnxtdoor
Image Credits
Eclipse Group, Son Duong, Benross