How to Attend Music Shows for DBSK

Okay, so I received a lot of questions from people asking how to get into music shows.
It differs from group to group, so keep in mind that I am specifically talking about lining up for DBSK at music shows (and to some extent SM).
Also, it might seem a little complicated in this explanation, but once you do it, you understand it better and it's easy. 

MNet is on Thursday, Music Bank is on Friday, Music Core is on Saturday, and Inkigayo is on Sunday. 

***How do you put your name on the list for music shows***
You usually have to sign up before the show day. Every group has a fan staff and they have their own way of signing up people for the prerecording and/or live show.
For DBSK, this involves having a paper sign taped somewhere at the studio. If you go to studio & walk around, you'll find it. The staff put it in a place where it is easily visible. Like this one:

This paper has all the instructions on it. It says (name + face photo).  
You then have to take a picture of your face with the sign and send the picture + your name in a text message to the number listed.
This is an example of a pic I took to send in my text. It has my face + the paper notice at the studio.
Add your name and a pic like this in the text.

You should then get a confirmation text within the hour (sometimes it takes longer) about what number you are on the list. You may be #50, #150, #350. It's hard to tell how many ppl have signed up until you're given your number. For the Catch Me promotions, the confirmation text only had your number, but this time for Something promotions, the fan staff have been REALLY nice to include the check in time as well.
Even if they didn't, it's also written on the paper. For example, this check in was on January 1st at 6pm.

It is possible to show up the day of the music show and put your name on the list then, but if you are uncarded, you want to put your name on the list ASAP so that you can improve your chances of getting in.

At check in, you will line up according to your numbers. Be on time. If you are not there and they call your name, they will cross your name off the list.  

***Where are the studios?***
Directions & Pics to MNet: http://koreancodex.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/mnet-mcountdown/
Directions & Pics to MBC Dream Center: http://koreancodex.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/mbc-music-core/
Directions & Pics to SBS Inkigayo : http://koreancodex.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/sbs-inkigayo/

***How do you know the paper is up at the studio?***

When this sign is put up, there will be an official notice post on your group's website.
Like this one:
http://tvxq.smtown.com/Link/Board/4080062

< MBC 쇼! 음악중심 - 사전 녹화 >

* 일시 : 2014. 01. 11. (토) 08:00 AM
* 장소 : 일산 MBC 드림센터 공개홀

You can copy and paste the notices into google translate if you can't read Korean. This says that SM staff check in is at 8 am on Sat morning at the Ilsan MBC Dream Center. Usually fan staff check in is 1 hour before SM check in, so 1st check in would be at 7am. But the confirmation text and paper sign up will have the 1st check in info.

One great thing about SM is that all information is posted on the official website which makes it easier for foreigners to find the information.
Other companies/groups post music show information through the official fancafe on Daum which can be extremely confusing if you don't know Korean.
For DBSK, it's tvxq.smtown.com, for Shinee is shinee.smtown.com, for Super Junior its superjunior.smtown.com. You get the idea.
Look for the News & Notices section.

WHEN YOU GO FOR CHECK IN, CHECK THE NOTICE FOR WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING. Normally, this means a cd and/or proof of online music purchase. This has changed quite a few times over the years, so you need check to make sure you bring the right things with you.
See next topic.

 ***Do I have to be carded to attend music shows?***
No, but it is easier. SM (and pretty much everyone) operates on a "tier system."
This information is also in the notices.
   ① Cassiopeia 3기 회원카드 + 신분증
        + [TENSE] RED ver. 앨범 + [TENSE] BLACK ver. 앨범
TIER 1: Official Cassie with membership card + id card + red & black tense albums

    ② Cassiopeia 3기 회원카드 + 신분증
        + [TENSE] RED ver. 앨범 or [TENSE] BLACK ver. 앨범 中 1개
TIER 2: Official Cassie with membership card + id card + only red OR black tense album

    ③ Cassiopeia 3기 회원카드 + 신분증
TIER 3: Official Cassie with membership card + id card

    ④ [TENSE] RED ver. 앨범 + [TENSE] BLACK ver. 앨범
TIER 4: Red & Black tense albums [Not in Cassiopeia]

    ⑤ [TENSE] RED ver. 앨범 or [TENSE] BLACK ver. 앨범 中 1개
TIER 5: Red OR Black tense album [Not in Cassiopeia]

    ⑥ ‘Something(썸씽)’ 음원 구입 내역 확인증 + 신분증
TIER 6: Proof of online purchase of Something mp3 from accepted source (soribada, melon, etc.)

This is what the SM Support staff does. They divide everyone into the tiers and THIS IS YOUR OFFICIAL number. For example, you might be T4-5 which means you're #5 in Tier 4.
So, as you can see, all of the official Cassiopeia members who come will be in front of you in line EVEN THOUGH you may have signed up earlier & had a better original list number. They make up the first 3 tiers, so the highest tier you can be in is Tier 4 if you are not in the fanclub.
This is why if you are uncarded, you want to put your name on the list ASAP so that you can be the first in Tier 4. This will improve your chances of getting in.

HOWEVER, this doesn't mean that all hope is lost. LOTS of ppl who don't have fanclub cards still get into music shows. DBSK is a big group name & they get prerecordings, most of the time by themselves. Which means that the staff can fill the entire studio with just Cassies (both official & unofficial). MBC Dream Center is the biggest studio out of the 4 & they can fit over 500 fans in there. 300+ is the average number of fans that show up for DBSK week to week. They really do try to fit everyone in. Sometimes, there's a restricted number (for example maybe only 600 ppl are getting in or maybe 350 ppl) but this is put on the notice.
Inkigayo is the hardest to get into because the studio is small and they can't fit as many ppl. SM staff really work hard to get as many fans into the music shows, but ultimately its the decision of the studio staff how many fans get to go in.
There have been times when I haven't gotten into music shows and sometimes that happens. But you have a really good chance to get in with DBSK. ^^