[Mashable] How lightsticks became a must-have item for K-pop fans

[sickwithsin]

How lightsticks became a must-have item for K-pop fans

These colorful concert accessories have a huge place in K-pop history.

mashable.com

It's a long article (and I am lazy ?), but very good and has a lot of info on the history of lightsticks.

Jayu explained, "In every generation of fandom, there are different tactics to demonstrate solidarity and strength [of fan groups]. First generation [early to late '90s groups, such as SHINHWA, SEO TAIJI & BOYS, H.O.T, g.o.d, S.E.S.] used colored raincoats, balloons, and paper."

But lightsticks, as we know them today, didn't really come into play until the second generation of idols (which include TVXQ, SS501, and Super Junior). Back then, they were essentially just slightly fancier glow sticks. There were two primary purposes for their creation — it doesn't feel like it needs saying, but obviously the first was just to have fun. The second was to more effectively demonstrate that solidarity and distinguish yourself from other fandoms.

It was really with the fourth generation groups (among them Seventeen, BTS, and GOT7) that lightsticks became super widespread. These groups probably never even had the simple version of a lightstick (especially those from smaller agencies). According to Jayu, "SM was the last big agency (or agency period) to adopt official lightsticks in 2018, and by the time SM did it, virtually every group had a lightstick."

 

[B612]

SM is so slow sometimes, SNSD got their official lightstick not too long ago

 

[sickwithsin]

SM is so slow sometimes, SNSD got their official lightstick not too long ago

Super Junior got theirs in 2017 ... twelve years after debut.

SM stands for Slow Motion, right??

 

[B612]

Super Junior got theirs in 2017 ... twelve years after debut.

SM stands for Slow Motion, right??

also Shitty Management

 

[Mirela]

What a shitty article. They mention some second generation groups but not Big Bang, the first ones who got a personalized lightstick. And they went widespread with the fourth generation? Really?

 

[sickwithsin]

What a shitty article. They mention some second generation groups but not Big Bang, the first ones who got a personalized lightstick. And they went widespread with the fourth generation? Really?

Bigbang is mentioned, though. About halfway down ...

However BIGBANG is most often credited with creating the first "official" lightstick (sometimes referred to more as a "fanlight"): the Bang Bong. Their lightstick strategy was to set themselves apart from other fandoms using the shape of the design, rather than just color.

 

[Mirela]

Bigbang is mentioned, though. About halfway down ...

Yeah, I fell for the thing I hate the most on the internet, not reading the whole article befote expressing outrage lol. I should not be on the internet 2 minutes after waking up... But calling BTS and Got7 as 4th generation doesn't feel right.

 

[sexy cutie]

who tf is 3rd gen if BTS, svt, etc are 4th gen lol. then are itzy, txt, etc 6th gen now?

 

[Sua]

Am I the only one who doesn't have a lightstick ?

 

[sexy cutie]

Am I the only one who doesn't have a lightstick ?

i don't have one either

 

[lovenatu]

The reason why SM was late in joining official lightsticks was so that they could sell different lightsticks for each event, earning more money, no?

Kpop lightsticks are so cute

 

[Sua]

The reason why SM was late in joining official lightsticks was so that they could sell different lightsticks for each event, earning more money, no?

Kpop lightsticks are so cute

Some look weird

 

[UMJI MOODS]

Am I the only one who doesn't have a lightstick ?

Me too. : (