http://sapphireskyproject.tumblr.com/

Our Dearest Supporters,

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:25:00 -0800

This is the Director of the Sapphire Sky Project speaking. After much toil and an endless amount of impossible conflicts I took it upon myself to meditate on the bigger picture of things in regards to this project.

Two nights of absolutely no sleep at all, a definite connection between problems at work and problems with lifestyle, one 10 hour long phone call, and a Friday evening spent expressing my troubles to a Korean pastor at a coffee shop in downtown Seoul, I was able to view things from a entirely new perspective. Since its beginnings, SSP has been through a lot of work that was publicized to you, and behind the scenes. You see, although I pride myself in dreaming larger than life, rationality is what we needed most. Through my nearly half a year of experience living in Korea and the input of a Korean on our recent dilemmas with SSP, I realized that we are dealing with a much larger issue than we had originally thought.

We made SSP because we wanted to do something for the international fans, by international fans, and we were tired of the ridiculous irrational treatment Super Junior received doing activities overseas. Our idea was based off of the sell that our project would open huge windows of opportunity for kpop to advance in a new radical unique direction that would most certainly bring international attention to Korean pop culture. However, now that I more fully understand a few unfortunate yet crucial aspects of Korean culture, I realize that our idea, though brilliant, is really designed for a culture that 1) Is already culturally diverse or 2) Wants to become culturally diverse; none of which Korea falls under at present. In fact… everything about SSP is everything that Korea rejects: A company created and run by young, foreign, women, who are proposing a radical change in the norm with a unique and revolutionary idea.

Young. Foreign. Woman. Unique. Change. The top five taboos of Korean Business culture.

I realized that even with the proper resources, money, and experience, we would still run into political issues that venture way deeper into the heart of “The Almighty Han Race” than we ever intended to go. Hosting a series of concerts for a boy band is a simple unpolitical matter to us, which is why we never really thought of it at first, but K-POP is Korea’s face. Idols represent everything Korea wishes it was and tries to make the world believe that it is. Poetically speaking: here we have SSP which is like the emancipation proclamation of Korean entertainment— and the industry, especially the notoriously traditional SM Entertainment, is not ready and cannot yet understand why it is necessary and beneficial to free the slaves.

In order for SSP to be successful, Korea would have to do radical reforms on business policy, international affairs, human rights, women’s rights, racism, nationalism, and all of their numerous phobias and complexes. After seeing this side of things I did some extra research on the matter— and did you know, the United Nations has been hounding South Korea for years with charges of international racial, sexual, and antisemitic prejudice and prosecution in the workplace? The corruption in Korea runs deep within its roots, we know that, we complain about it often in regards to SM. My pastor said to me, “Korean people don’t like change. Even wise advice and innocent suggestions are seen as an invasion. They are met with extreme defensive responses and rejection.”

The culture difference is too large and they do not want help from us. It is sad and difficult to accept but their unwillingness to evolve will lead to their own downfall and there is nothing we can do about it. It is beyond our control. They will have to implement change in themselves before a business venture like SSP can ever be made and executed. It could take decades, and it is not a cause I believe we should be taking responsibility for. When I look at SJ, I see such amazing and great potential. It is almost painful to know that they will never reach their full capacity because of a huge cultural setback, but I believe it is wise to leg it go.

One day the idea of SSP can successfully take hold, but that is not today. It is the wrong time and the wrong place. We worked hard but it was not in vain. The experiences we can all walk away with from this will help us in the future. Entrepreneurship is no easy task and we made it damn far if I do say so myself. I hope you will all understand. It was wonderful working with you. By far you are the best team I’ve ever had on a project, even if this one was not completed. Through every late hour writing proposals, filling out legal documents, making endless phone calls, filling out online surveys, and setbacks from higher up industry folk, you guys stuck it out still believing in the dream. You still supported and I genuinely thank you.

Here is to us making it as far as we did. A few cultural roadblocks away and SSP could’ve made it. We were that close and I’m proud of us. We started in a conference room of the library at UNLV and ended up spread on all sections of the globe. I will be placing SSP as ‘INACTIVE’ legally.

If you were a kind soul who donated money, please send an email to ashleystevens.ssp@gmail.com along with the receipt from paypal with the amount donated and we will reimburse you immediately. Your donations gave us hope and kept us motivated, but it is time to return them to you, as we could not fulfill out promise.

Farewell everyone. I hope SM will find it in them to send Super Junior your way. Russian ELF, Tunisian ELF, German ELF, Australian, Canadian, American, and Latin American ELF— your day will come. The industry knows a lot more about you now than they ever did before.

Yours Truly,
—

Sapphire Sky Project Director
Niki Thomas

If Super Junior could have one concert in 2013, at any city in the world, where and when this year, would you want it to be?

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 05:16:00 -0800

Only one city. Only one date.

Hey all!

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 11:22:00 -0800

It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Please know that the Sapphire Sky Project LLC is still fully active! Good news is coming soon! For now, we’ve updated our website with new information. Check out where all of your DONATION MONEY will go.

To those of you who have donated money, please know that if by some chance the concert does not occur, all of your money will be refunded.

Hello there ^^. I'm an ELF and a journalism student and I'm making an assignment for school about crowdfunding. It's my job to look at what oppurtunities crowdfunding can give to the art industry. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about this through mail about the oppurtunities the Sapphire Sky Project will gain if the crowdfunding project succeeds. Is that possible? Kind regards, Anne.

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:21:16 -0700

Sure! Go ahead and send all of your questions to sapphireskyproject@gmail.com and we will be more than happy to help you and provide as much information for you as possible :)

Stoof.

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:22:00 -0700

Once again, our volunteers will be wearing Sapphire Sky Project colors (blue, white, & yellow) and handing out stuff this Saturday so please look for them and say hello if you are attending. We really appreciate everyone helping us and this weekend we are hoping to reach a new goal in terms of supporters!

Another update is about our website. We currently have it translated into four separate languages other than English: Korean, Deutsch, Indonesian, and Spanish. We would love for you to check it out if any of these are your native language! We are also now working on adding about four more languages, Arabic, Russian, French, and Chinese. Our goal is to have it translated into as many as possible so that we can really live up to our promise to be internationally friendly.

Please continue to follow our activities, and enjoy yourselves at KCON!

-Admin N

Hello Everyone! This is the Sapphire Sky Project once again. If...

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:24:00 -0700

Hello Everyone!

This is the Sapphire Sky Project once again. If you are attending KCON 2012, please feel free to visit us and pick up a flyer or pamphlet. Volunteers will be walking around spreading the word about the project, and more information can be found with Shineee.net. We sincerely thank SFI for allowing us a space at their booth for our flyers, and Code EXO for partnering with us! All ELF and supporters of The Sapphire Sky Project, we urge you send lots of love to these two fan sites for their generosity and support. The more people we reach and the larger following we gather, the closer we are to granting International ELF their greatest wish.

Please keep updated on our news via our tumblr, twitter, or website! We are also hard at work putting together a Crowdfunding promotion video. Through this video, everyone can meet the executive board and staff behind the project. We will also be showing clips of support given to us by our country representatives. Our biggest hope right now is to make the Sapphire Sky Project viral and to gain as much support as possible from fans around the world!

As always, you may ask questions in our inbox or email us at sapphireskyproject@gmail.com!

Hey guys! There was a little mix up with our post because of a few misunderstandings. The current...

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:23:42 -0700

Hey guys! There was a little mix up with our post because of a few misunderstandings. The current post has been updated, but Code EXO is simply affiliating with us and showing their support. Our flyers can only be found at the SFI booth.

Thanks!

- Admin N

Find us at Kcon!

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:09:00 -0700

The Sapphire Sky Project has wonderful news! Shinee Forums International has agreed to giving us a small space of their booth at Kcon. We’ll have flyers and a couple volunteers helping out as well. The staff member in charge of the SFI booth is even going to make us an adorable little sign! Thank you SFI, especially Annie and the admin over looking the event.

If you would like to help out both SSP and SFI, then please email me at paigeshin.ssp@gmail.com

We need as many volunteers as possible to spread the word. This tour can only happen if you let it happen. And that means your participation, your support, and your voice.

Find us and learn more about us at Kcon! See you there!

Sapphire Sky Project + CODE:EXO

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 09:35:57 -0700

The Sapphire Sky Project is proud to present CODE:EXO as our partner for this project! We have recently been trying to share a booth at Kcon this coming Saturday, however further arrangements are being made. We want to strengthen EXO and Super Junior’s fans’ ties, and create a more loving community amongst all fandoms.

Let’s thank CODE:EXO for their support!

I like the idea very much! How much money do you think you will need to raise by crowd-funding?

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:39:00 -0700

We were thinking we will start the first goal low.. like $1000. We did some research and it’s supposed to be very effective, and if we don’t make the goal then all of the money will go back to the fans, anyway. Thanks for the feedback!

Crowdfunding

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:24:00 -0700

Hello our lovely ELF! Recently the executive board has hosted a conference and we’ve been discussing new advertisement methods. It’s difficult to get our name out there, therefore we were wondering if crowdfunding would play as a good option.

Crowdfunding is basically the process of gathering people online to donate to a cause. However, there’s a catch. We, the entrepreneurs, are required to set a goal for ourselves (for example, $10,000). If enough people pledge to fund our cause and we reach $10,000, then we will get the full funding. If not, we get nothing and all of the money is returned to the funders (or if we decide to use a site like Indiegogo, we get a 9% penalty deducted from our funding).

What do you think? Should we aim to crowdfund? If we use this method, then 100% of the money raised will go to Super Junior’s accommodations. This means all of the money will go to their airplane tickets, five star accomodations, limousines, attractions and meals.

Inbox us your thoughts!

Hello Everyone!

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 01:06:00 -0700

The data from the poll will be extracted this week. Please do your last minute voting if there are still people left who have not gotten around to it. Thank you for your participation and support. After this period, the poll will remain open for a second extraction. That date is to be announced.

I think what you all are trying to do is very touching. If you ever make this happen (I hope^^), I'll be there!! ~

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:31:32 -0700

We seriously appreciate your support. We’ll definitely see you there!

Volunteers

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:05:17 -0700

Volunteers:

sapphireskyproject:

We are currently looking for volunteers in order to create teams and committees to conduct the fanmeet in a well organized manor. Here are the requirements and a list of volunteer options. If you have any questions, please feel free to visit our inbox or email us at sapphireskyproject@gmail.com.

Available Jobs:

Executive Board

~~- Treasurer (Keeps track of funding)~~ taken

~~- Lead Advertisement Manager (Head of the Advertisement Committee)~~ taken

~~- Lead Fan Support Manager (Head of the Food Support/Fan Project Committee)~~ taken

~~- Lead Staff Manager (Head of the Staff/Handlers)~~ taken

~~- Lead Activities Manager (Head of Fanmeet Activities Committee)~~ taken

~~- Event Coordinator(s) (Organizers of SSP)~~ taken

~~- Sponsor Coordinator(s) (Head of Company Sponsor Committee)~~

Each Executive Board member will receive an SSP email address and instructions from the Event Coordinators on how to keep track of the minor staff. Once you are accepted you will immediately submit an organized plan of action.

Committee Jobs & Descriptions:

Fanmeet Activites - planing activities done by the members during the actual event. Example: Q&A, raffle, live performances, etc. (Yes, you do get to be on and backstage)

Staff/Handler - Volunteer workers whos main job is to provide assistance to the members, managers, staff, and control fans. Your Lead Staff Manager will conduct an interview in Los Angeles one to two months prior to the event. You must be 18 years or older to apply, no exceptions.

Food Support/Fan Project Committee - A group of people organizing food support for the members with fan donated money and the handing out of light sticks during the event (anything extra is at your committee’s discretion).

Advertisement Committee - A team of volunteers who hand out fliers, and generally advertise the event in the city/on the internet. Examples of advertising options: contacting radio stations, hanging posters, etc (this job does not require you to live in Las Vegas, but will be crucial for volunteers that are living in the Las Vegas area around the time of the event).

Company Sponsor Committee - A team of people with connections to companies willing to sponsor/donate money towards the event. You will be given a document with an the official SSP sponsor letter format. Preferably 18 years or older, with exceptions.

Instructions:

Click here for an application.

Fill out the application and send it tosapphireskyproject@gmail.com*

Once your application is accepted, you will receive a response email with an advertisement package and instructions for your first task

Once a week there will be a check up period where you will send proof of your completed task(s)**

*A week before the event, we will choose 10 staff who have given ample proof of their hard work and dedication to come backstage and meet the members

I really hope that you'll have a booth at KCON! Seriously it would be great! I hope that this project gonna happen soon! Fighting! <3 Also you should promote your petition more on tumblr! ^^

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 00:59:27 -0700

We are working hard on it! And a booth at KCON would be ideal! :) If anyone wants to volunteer for the booth email Paige Shin at paigeshin.ssp@gmail.com! Thank you for the support!

sapphireskyproject: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Hi all,If you haven’t...

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 12:31:13 -0700

sapphireskyproject:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Hi all,

If you haven’t heard, M.Net is holding North America’s very first K-Pop Convention in Irvine, California. There’s going to be lots of groups performing, an autograph session, and popular DJs, choreographers and talent scouts/agents (including SM) participating. This convention is going to be huge, and we might get the right amount of exposure necessary to the public if we join in.

Before I ask Kcon for a booth, I need at least ten volunteers. I don’t know the time arrangements yet, however I’m hoping that volunteers can work for one to two hour shifts throughout the day. More than ten volunteers would be amazing. The faster we get our voice out there, the faster we’ll be able to have the world tour.

This convention is our gateway to potential sponsors (M.Net, Verizon, LG) and our gateway to the international fans. Since our opening concert is going to be in Las Vegas, it’s a smart location and a really great way to gain support.

It’s not guaranteed that we’ll be granted a booth, but I first wanted to secure the amount of volunteers participating before emailing Kcon. So please, please, please volunteer! This convention is going to have tens of thousands of participants and SM agents, scouts, artists and choreographers are going to attend. This is going to be a huge step forward. So please volunteer!

REQUIREMENTS
There’s no specific age a volunteer has to be (preferably freshman in high school and older). Volunteers should come wearing all-white t-shirts and the rest of their outfits are of their own choice. The supervisor of the booth will give specific jobs to specific volunteers as the time comes.

The convention will be on OCTOBER 13, 2012. You can find out more at kconusa.com. If you don’t want to just volunteer and want to have a little fun as well, attend the concert! We haven’t been notified of when the convention starts exactly, but we know for sure that We’ll be closing the booth by 6-7PM so that everyone can make it to the concert. Further arrangements will be made.

If any of you are willing to volunteer please email paigeshin.ssp@gmail.com or inbox us. We’ll provide you more information and address any questions you may have. Please spread this to everyone you know, the more volunteers there are, the more E.L.F. at the convention we will be able to reach (not to mention the possibility of SM taking notice of our booth). This will bring us one step closer to a world tour and SM finally opening up a spot for us.

To future volunteers: You are going to be the catalysts of the Sapphire Sky Project. We can promise you that.

Thank you,
The Sapphire Sky Project Team

Which Country Are You From?

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 10:03:00 -0700

Which Country Are You From?:

sapphireskyproject:

Dear International ELF Community,

The Sapphire Sky Project LLC is conducting a special poll that will determine the exact amounts of Super Junior fans all around the world. This information will not only be shared with SM Entertainment, but with various companies who are willing to sponsor our world tour. It is imperative that you participate in this survey in order to represent yourself and your country.

The Sapphire Sky Project along with SM Entertainment will be using this data collected along with other information we gather through the attendance at our opening concert to decide the fate of the rest of the world tour. The top 13 countries determined by this pole will be chosen for the first Sapphire Sky World Tour.

Please spread the link to this poll everywhere that there are international ELF. The more people that submit data to the poll, the more accurate the information that we deliver to SM Entertainment and the sponsoring companies will be.

The poll is available in Arabic, German, Finnish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Swedish, Turkish, Chinese, Taiwanese, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

You may only vote once for your country. If your country is not listed, please choose “Other” and then list what it is in the comments section.

Thank you for your participation.

So what information will finalize your first world tour? Is it solely going to be based on the poll?

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 09:59:04 -0700

Nope. Like we’ve said before, the poll will play a big role, but we’re really looking at not just the poll, but the attendance at our opening concert. We plan to try and cover as much ground as possible. For example, for the countries in Persia— not all can be visited so we must find a central location that we can actually go to such as Dubai or Turkey and hold a concert there for Persian ELF. For most of Europe we may go to Vienna, and for Eastern Europe, Russia. These are not final decisions but we know that there are many fans clustered densely in certain regions and because we cannot have a tour that is 36 countries long, we must make difficult decisions. We are collecting data in order to make the final decisions, however if your country is in the top 13, your area will me more likely to be visited. Everyone wants a concert close to home, but we can only grant that wish to a select few.

Attention

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 04:58:43 -0700

If you have volunteered to translate for the Sapphire Sky Project, please give your information to Fatima Jeghir at fatimajeghir.ssp@gmail.com. We need your help! :)

Thank you very much!

-Admin N

We are the Sapphire Sky Project LLC, and our goal is to fulfill SM Entertainment’s promise of a SUPER JUNIOR WORLD TOUR.

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:10:15 -0700

We are the Sapphire Sky Project LLC, and our goal is to fulfill SM Entertainment’s promise of a SUPER JUNIOR WORLD TOUR.:

sapphireskyproject:

We are a company chartered under the US government and a team of fans just like you. We were heartbroken when we realized that Super Show 4 would not turn out to be the world tour we thought it would be. We couldn’t help but think, “Why?” That was why we came together and did something. For you, for Super Junior, for every single ELF in this world.

Fans often sit and wonder why they can’t have the certain benefits Japanese, Chinese and Korean ELF have. But no more. If you fans work with us to MAKE THIS WORLD TOUR HAPPEN, we will change history. There has never been a case in history where international fans came together and established their own set of concerts.

Our company will provide the best service for Super Junior: hotels, limos, food, attractions. And who will give these luxuries to Super Junior? Fans. Through donations given by fans all around the world, Super Junior will be given the five star treatment they deserve. Fans are often dismayed when watching the boys work so hard and long without getting much rest or comfort. But we can give them that. Before and after every concert, SSP can provide comfortable beds, delicious food and luxurious transportation to the boys by using the kindly donated money from fans all over the world.

But the exciting news doesn’t end here:

SM Entertainment has recently informed us that they are currently looking for a time slot for our very first concert. Straight from the SM Headquarters in Seoul.

However, we have been notified that Super Junior’s schedule is really full, and they’ll need to find a time for us. Therefore the executive board has devised a plan to help the process along. Our plan is to advertise heavily on all major ELF websites including the official fancafe and DC inside. If we can spread the word to enough people, and the members are aware of the project through the fancafe, we may get their support which would put pressure on SM to find us a spot.

For there to be a world tour, and fast, we need to work together, ELF. Together. Finally we are all given the opportunity to do something. Finally we are able to get something right. Stop and think to yourself right this minute: Do I want Super Junior in my country? Do I want to be part of something no one else has ever before? Do I want to be the catalyst that will further propel the Hallyu Wave?

With your help and your voice, we will be able to have a legitimate world tour. Super Junior will be able to go to your country. But this can only happen if you participate.

Don’t think that there is no hope for you because your country is small or because the city you live in is far away from everything. The Sapphire Sky Project team understands these situation and we are going to do everything in our power to help you. You just have to support us.

What can you do?

The Sapphire Sky Project LLC is conducting a special poll that will determine the exact amounts of Super Junior fans all around the world. This information will not only be shared with SM Entertainment, but with various companies who are willing to sponsor our world tour. It is imperative that you participate in this survey in order to represent yourself and your country.

The Sapphire Sky Project along with SM Entertainment will be using this data collected along with other information we gather through the attendance at our opening concert to decide the fate of the rest of the world tour. The top 13 countries determined by this poll will be chosen for the first Sapphire Sky World Tour.

Please spread the link to this poll everywhere that there are International ELF. The more people that submit data to the poll, the more accurate the information that we deliver to SM Entertainment and the sponsoring companies will be.

You may only vote once for your country. If your country is not listed, please choose “Other” and then list what it is in the comments section.

We also know how much everyone wants their country to be represented, and it can sometimes be difficult to spread the world through the internet, so we came up with a solution for you that we think will help everyone:

Hold an SSP fanmeet, in your country, of ELF and announce to them about this project and the poll. If you are capable of setting up computers with internet or even possibly going to a library or PC Bang together to vote, you may do so as well. Because the voting is blocked in a way that you may only vote once from the same IP, you must let us know when you will be holding your fanmeet so we can turn off restrictions for you. If you do decide to do the fanmeet please take pictures and videos of the fanmeet and hold up Super Junior/ELF/SSP signs. When you email us at sapphireskyproject@gmail.com, we can give you our logo and what information to tell your fellow ELF.

We are also searching for minor staff (see application post or go to our website) who can translate into different languages such as Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, Russian, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, etc.

To show your support for the Sapphire Sky Project, you can place our button on your blog using the html found here. You can also place it in your signature if you are part of a Super Junior forum or website.

Another way to get the word out is to tweet about the Sapphire Sky Project to the boys. Just go to your twitter and tweet this message: 우리를 지지해주세요! http://www.sapphireskyproject-kr.co/ to Leeteuk, Donghae, Siwon, Kyuhyun, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Yesung and Ryeowook.

For Henry’s twitter just put: Henry! Please support us! http://sapphireskyproject.com

The Sapphire Sky Project truly is the one way for international fans to get involved on a higher level. We sit around and wonder what we can do to help, and SSP is the true gateway. Bringing Super Junior to an international scale starts here.

We have to make our presence known to get there. If we, fans, can come together and pull off this world tour, then Korea will be blown away. To Korea, the Hallyu Wave is one of the most spectacular things due to the sudden increase of interest in Korean music from outside countries. We can make an impact by centering this on our true devotion to Super Junior and Korean music.

We can finally be as involved as we have always wished to be. No more sitting at home behind our computers and only hoping and dreaming of the day we can move to Korea and see the boys who have changed our lives. Everything we need to be a great fan will be right in front of us.

You just have to do something about it.