One unique aspect of K-Pop fandom culture is the many diverse lightsticks that represent the groups and their fans.
K-Pop concerts are known for the colorful “oceans” of light created by the respective artists’ lightsticks. For example, BTS are known for their purple ocean, BLACKPINK for their pink, and GOT7 and NCT for their green. Lightsticks are a fun part of the K-Pop concert experience. So, fans will often bring theirs or purchase them at the venue if they are available.
That Purple Ocean. pic.twitter.com/QOrPSZVUap
— Spring Day (@I_Am_Spring_Day) May 12, 2023
Bammm we are by your side, through thick and thin. You are the brightest light among the green ocean of lights @BamBam1Apic.twitter.com/LJ7BNXEs8p
— Gloria 💚🔗💎🚩 (@BamJWahgase) September 10, 2024
Lovesick Girls in the Pink Ocean 🥹🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/6R8MiC3UJD
— Tobias🧟♂️Mia’s Zombie🩼 (@allmyglows_) October 27, 2022
Since lightsticks are thoughtfully custom-made for each group and intended to represent their fandom, some fans feel it’s inappropriate and even disrespectful to bring another artist’s lightstick to someone’s concert. It’s a recurring discourse within the K-Pop community on whether or not it is proper etiquette to bring another artist’s lightstick to a concert.
Candy Bong Z so pretty 😍
©️ pic.twitter.com/OQ7AhvHpan
— Kate (@yoursnewjitwice) October 2, 2022
isn’t it basic decency to not bring another group’s lightstick when attending a concert…
— rie (@vocalsoob) October 30, 2022
“we don’t have enough money to buy another lightstick” okay then use your phone’s flashlight BUT if you really can’t then just don’t use anything at all i promise you it’s impossible for them to have a black ocean cause they have more than enough fans that owns their official ls
— rie (@vocalsoob) October 30, 2022
lightiny remains one of the prettiest lightsticks ever pic.twitter.com/UShp0U1UTi
— ★ (@HONGSMINGKI) October 25, 2022
This discourse was recently triggered after NCT’s lightstick, the NEOBONG, was brought to a concert for THE BOYZ.
THE BOYZ are currently on their THE BOYZ 2024 WORLD TOUR : ZENERATION Ⅱ.
[📸] THE BOYZ WORLD TOUR : ZENERATION Ⅱ in KUALA LUMPUR🇲🇾
KUALA LUMPUR THE B❗️ We can’t wait for our first meeting😆#THEBOYZ #더보이즈#ZENERATION2 #제너레이션2#ZENERATION2_in_KUALALUMPUR pic.twitter.com/bI2bbFDtvi
— 더보이즈(THE BOYZ) (@IST_THEBOYZ) September 7, 2024
A concert-goer and their friend upset THE BOYZ fans for reportedly wearing a TREASURE shirt and bringing an NCT lightstick to THE BOYZ concert while having VIP benefits, such as hi-touch.
i mean the lightstick itself isn’t an issue but it’s not surprising some people find it weird to bring other artists’ lightstick and shirt in front of the members in a hi touch event… just my opinion though!! https://t.co/VOhxaWYDrR pic.twitter.com/TbUOtYYYRw
— mau 🍉 (@jellyiren) September 9, 2024
If you had better conscience, you wouldn’t come with an NCT lightstick and a TREASURE tshirt to a THE BOYZ concert. Not only were you and your friend rudely screaming and running around in the pit, you had a hitouch session where TBZ could see ur tshirt. https://t.co/0UFHSxZWtI
— 💐 (@cobmilove) September 9, 2024
The “guilty” concert-goers received threats as a result. So, @MythicalCT_YT on X (formerly Twitter) shared an apology letter, revealing they had brought an NCT lightstick to THE BOYZ (also known as TBZ) in Malaysia. They apologized after realizing it had offended some.
#TBZinKL #TBZinMY #TBZ #ZENERATION2inKL
Hi we are the people who brought NCT light stick to TBZ concert in Malaysia, we are here to apologise. pic.twitter.com/9OVsE1t4cR— Mythical (@MythicalCT_YT) September 8, 2024
The post went viral, with 1.7M views at the time of writing. Many defended it, believing their actions were not serious enough to warrant such backlash.
Many netizens pointed out that lightsticks can be expensive, and since fans might belong to multiple K-Pop fandoms, they might not be able to afford every group’s lightstick. Some feel it’s better for concert-goers to bring any lightstick to be part of the experience. It’s also a great way to prevent a “black ocean,” which is usually an organized protest of a performing artist when the audience turns off their light sticks.
when will yall realize that it literally does not matter who’s light stick you bring to a concert what matters is you having fun and what matters to the artist is that seat being filled💀 not everyone can afford a light stick for every concert after dropping hundreds on a ticket https://t.co/hX9QdKP6go
— honey 🍯 (@starsforkevin) September 9, 2024
Some fans also believe that at least one NCT lightstick should be in a concert crowd.
if i go to a concert and i DON’T see a neobong then i know something isn’t right in the universe, the balance is off https://t.co/yp70UZQYf1
— ★⁵ azu⁷ ✢ saw ateez ! (@satoruslander) September 9, 2024
Is it really a kpop concert if you don’t see a neobong in the crowd https://t.co/apcEFHO86p
— Giulia 🌟 (@PabbitHeart) September 9, 2024
Even KARD‘s BM chimed in on the discourse… to promote his own lightstick, suggesting it’s a good option for multis.
BTG lightsticks are friendly to any group with a member of the big tiddie gang 😉 i hope https://t.co/DxyDjsogd3
— BM (@_bigmatthewww) September 10, 2024
Many K-Pop idols appreciate people just coming out and supporting their concerts. Some have even brought attention to other fandoms, expressing their gratitude. Read more below.
5 K-Pop Idols Who Approved Of Concert-Goers Bringing Other Group’s Lightsticks To Their Show
