Welcome To New York, hello82!
Fans at hello82 NYC (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
This past weekend, the Hailey House Imnida team attended hello82’s Grand Opening celebration at its brand new location in New York City! It was a wonderful experience filled with music, friendship, and community - fully immersed in a fanspace that will be hosting K-pop fans for years to come. We explored the space, met fans, and captured photos, so be sure to save it to your bucket list for the next time you’re in NYC.
hello82 describes itself as a “next-generation fan-centric music company,” designed to connect fans with their favorite K-pop artists. They’re well known for hosting fan events and meet-and-greets, as well as creating in-person fanspaces and stores where fans can gather, trade photocards, and shop for albums and merchandise. Alongside their physical spaces, hello82 also has a strong online presence, operating large-scale stores and marketing platforms that work directly with K-pop groups.
Vendors at hello82 NYC (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
To celebrate the opening of their NYC fanspace and store, hello82 hosted a Grand Opening event that brought fans together in the new space. The event featured lovely vendors selling handmade merchandise inspired by their favorite groups, while dozens of fans traded photocards… binders were stacked across tables and sprawled across the stage. hello82 also hosted some incredible giveaways, including posters signed by entire groups! It was so fun watching the crowd cheer every time a name was called. There was also a craft station where fans could decorate paper heart cards themed around hello82, as well as photo spots along the walls where friends could gather and pose together.
Later in the evening, the staff transformed the space into a party atmosphere. Shelves and tables were moved back to create a bar at the rear of the room, the lights were dimmed, and music filled the space. The bar served amazing non-alcoholic drinks with names inspired by beloved K-pop groups. I can confidently say they were delicious- I tried one myself! It was called the Pretty Boy, and it was, indeed, a very pretty drink. Fans danced along to songs they knew, and honestly… they were so good at dancing. I was impressed.
hello82 NYC (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Fans at hello82 NYC (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
The hello82 space itself is massive; an open floor plan with tall ceilings, beautiful vintage wall paneling, and wide windows that flood the room with light while offering great views both inside and out. The floor can easily accommodate large crowds, and a spacious stage sits along one edge of the room. It’s easy to imagine fan meets, performances, and community events taking place here in the future. Even though the store is brand new, the potential of this space is already so clear. It feels alive, welcoming, and incredibly exciting.
hello82 NYC (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Fans at hello82 NYC (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
One of the best parts of the day was walking around and meeting people; hearing about their favorite biases, dream concerts, and taking their photos. Fans were so sweet and eager to show off their photocards, displayed in gorgeous frames and color-coordinated bag setups. Everyone had stories to share: one fan showed me their tattoos and explained the meaning behind each one, one group had met at a concert and are now best friends, and another group met that very day at the event and instantly became friends. The vibes were truly unmatched.
On top of that, the hello82 NYC staff were incredibly kind, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do. Between the people running the company, the fans that occupy the physical space, and the beautiful store setup, I’m so excited to see how hello82’s presence in the city will continue to positively impact the K-pop community.
Thank you so much, hello82! We’re so excited to see what you do here. ❤️
Staff at hello82 NYC (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Special thanks to hello82
Photos by Sydney Wright (SYDNETH) on behalf of Hailey House Imnida
Written by Sydney Wright (SYDNETH)