Liputan6.com, Jakarta You won't be surprised to see a group of fans carrying lightsticks every time a K-pop music concert is held. Because lightsticks are not ordinary merchandise, they become a symbol of fan identity and pride at every K-pop music concert.
More than that, lightsticks are also a combination of beauty and technology.Unlike now, being a fan of idol groups in the past did not recognize lightsticks.In the late 1990s, during the era of the first generation, K-pop fans wore raincoats and held balloons to support their favorite groups.
History of K-Pop Lightsticks
The two most prominent groups back then were H.O.T. and Sechskies, where H.O.T. fans wore white raincoats and held white balloons. While Sechskies fans wore yellow raincoats.
The hit Korean drama Reply 1997 hilariously depicted the fierce rivalry between the two fandoms. Later, second-generation K-pop fans no longer wore raincoats but held balloons in their group's official colors to support their idols.
TVXQ, for example, held a red balloon, and SS501 held a green balloon. Later, in 2006, BigBang became the first K-pop group to launch an official lightstick. BigBang's leader, G-Dragon, designed a yellow crown-shaped lightstick called BangBong to make their V.I.P. (BigBang fans) stand out from the crowd.
The Lightsticks Now
YG then became the first company to mass-produce K-Pop lightsticks; the rest is history. Today, lightsticks have evolved and have advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity, color-changing capabilities, and even being used as charging ports. These technological upgrades make them an integral part of the live concert experience.
Lightsticks can be synchronized with the performance to create a stunning visual spectacle.The transformation of lightsticks from simple tools to complex, personalized devices mirrors the evolution of KPop itself.
Lightstick Became Popular
Lightsticks only gained mainstream popularity in the second generation of K-Pop. Now, almost all idol groups have their own lightsticks with various unique shapes and names. Although it can provide beauty during concerts, there have been light moments in the dark side of the K-pop world.
Black Ocean, this was a particularly tough moment for K-pop groups, as they were forced to perform in complete darkness and silence. This is the most radical method fans use to show they do not support a band. Some famous groups have experienced this, such as Twice or BTS in 2016. Yes, the most famous bands in the world have experienced this.