K-pop fans often arrive at concerts carrying bags filled with essentials: banners to support their idols, water and snacks to endure the long performance, and, most importantly, the iconic light sticks.
These customized light sticks, crafted to embody each artist's or group's unique identity and style, have become an essential part of the K-pop concert experience and a powerful symbol of fan solidarity.
"When you're surrounded by people holding the same light stick, all glowing in the same color, there's a sense of belonging. Even though we're strangers, we're all here with the same love for our artist, and there's a warmth and solidarity in that," says Jeon Ye-seo, a K-pop fan in her early 20s.
Before light sticks emerged, fans in the 1990s expressed their support with balloons. Each group had its own color: H.O.T fans waved white balloons, Sechs Kies fans had yellow, g.o.d fans waved sky blue, and Shinhwa fans used orange balloons.
With the influx of new groups, it became harder to secure distinct fandom colors. The colors evolved to include glittering or mixed hues, such as SHINee’s "Pearl Aqua Green," Red Velvet’s "Pastel Coral," and Infinite’s "Pearl Metal Gold," each name as elaborate as the color itself.
The first official light stick is often credited to solo artist Se7en who came up with his "7" shaped stick in 2008. Shortly after, Big Bang launched a yellow crown-shaped "Bang Bong," ushering in the era of light sticks.
In 2016, SM Entertainment revolutionized concerts with EXO’s remotely controlled light sticks. By inputting seat information via smartphone, the system synchronized fans' light sticks with sound and light effects at the concert, transforming the audience into dazzling displays of colors, lighting patterns and on-and-off sequences, enhancing the concert’s visual storytelling.
Ateez took this a step further last year with motion-sensing light sticks, where LED color and flashing speed changed with the speed at which the fans waved the sticks, adding an interactive layer to the experience.
"Remote-controlled light sticks have expanded the scope of concert staging to include the audience, transforming the way performances are designed," explains pop critic Lim Hee-yun, noting that these light sticks are also essential revenue drivers for entertainment companies.
Priced at around 50,000 won ($35), light sticks may pose a financial burden to many teenage fans, but most feel compelled to buy one. "There's a sense of pride when I see (my favorite artists') joy as they look at the wave of light sticks," says a 17-year-old fan. "When groups gather for year-end shows, bringing my light stick is a must — it gives me confidence and shows support."
Beyond K-pop, light sticks have started to make appearances in other fields. This year, Hybe provided "Team Korea" light sticks at the Paris Olympics, synchronizing their colors and blinking speed to boost the atmosphere of live cheering.
The light stick’s journey from a simple fandom tool to a high-tech concert must-have illustrates how K-pop continues to innovate, making every concert an immersive and unforgettable experience for fans.
