[FEATURE] The Revolution of K-Pop Lightsticks – Which Is Your Favourite?

In this day and age of inevitable competition and prideful support in the K-Pop industry, fandoms have been stepping up their game, and have been meaning business. Cheering materials such as slogans, shirts, lanyards, and of course, lightsticks — whether fan-made or company-official is almost an extension of the artists’ outputs.

From just a simple glowing stick used to cheer for the artists onstage, lightsticks are now also considered as a symbol of every fandom. Back in the H.O.T. and SECHSKIES era, fans only resorted to balloons and raincoats to show their fandom power. Today, however, these modern lightsticks make up the fans’ ‘ocean’ (usually in the group’s official color), and it’s most definitely rewarding to see for the fans and the artists alike.

In today’s battle of the most creative and distinguished lightsticks in the K-Pop industry, which one is your favorite?

GOOD THINGS COME IN PAIRS (SEVENTEEN / MONSTA X)
SEVENTEEN‘s and MONSTA X‘s lightsticks complement each other so much that the two fandoms (CARATs and MONBEBEs) love making them a pair.

SEVENTEEN’s official lightstick, more commonly referred to as the CARATBONG (캐럿봉) among fans, features a diamond in a glittery sphere that represents the group’s sparkly and shiny career. Unlike other lightsticks that use Bluetooth technology to automatically change colors, the CARATBONG glows with a gorgeous combination of the fandom’s official colours – Rose Quartz and Serenity.

MONSTA X’s official lightstick, on the other hand, was unveiled as a gift for their fans on the group’s second anniversary last May 2017. The bright colors of Mondoongie (몬둥이) – a fond nickname for the lighstick, represents the group’s ‘The Clan’ album series with turquoise symbolizing ‘Lost’, blue representing ‘Guilty’, and pink representing ‘Beautiful’.

Most recently, fans of both groups discovered that they can actually customize their lightsticks! CARATs and MONBEBEs sure are creative with their outputs, making their groups’ official lightsticks even more magical.

WATCH OUT FOR THESE WEAPONS (iKON / BLACKPINK)
You think you can handle some of these weapon-like lightsticks? YG Entertainment proved to the K-Pop community that lightsticks aren’t just cheering aids, they can be dangerously fun, too!

Both iKONICs and BLINKs (iKON’s and BLACKPINK’s official fandom names) poked a lot of fun on how their official lightsticks can be used as weapons, as well. iKON’s ‘KONBAT’ is shaped like a small baseball bat that emits a red-orange hue, while BLACKPINK’s ‘HAMMERBONG’ is shaped like…well, a hammer.

The girls of BLACKPINK were even involved in the designing process of the lightstick! In the BLACKPINK episode of Idol Room, the girls revealed that they were inspired by the hammer toy used in the Weekly Idol show hosted by Jung Hyung Don and Defconn, that they eventually decided to incorporate it in the design.

FANDOM’S SPIRIT ANIMAL (GOT7 / APINK)
A common theme that the other artists have incorporated into the design of their lightsticks are, animals!

Unlike the more younger groups, Apink fans, or Pink Pandas, had to wait five (5) years after group’s official debut before they even had an official lightstick. As an ode to their fandom name, the lightstick features a panda head where its pink eyes, pink nose, and pink ears, light up. It’s perfect for Apink’s fresh and bubbly image!

Another case in point, GOT7 has always fondly called their fans as “AHGASAE/아가새” (literal meaning: baby bird) which was derived from their official fandom name IGOT7 (아이 갓세븐). This then became an inspiration to their official lightstick that is shaped like a bird with a small, green sphere inside. The boys of GOT7 revealed the lightstick in an official video complete with a cheering guide for their song, ‘Home Run’, and other tips on how to enjoy the lightstick.

IT’S A BAND THING (DAY6 / N.FLYING)
Who says bands can’t have lightsticks? Although a bit unconventional, the boys of DAY6 and N.FLYING proved how creative and witty they are, not just in writing songs, but also in coming up with their official cheering materials.

After their monthly ‘Every DAY6 Concert’ last year, the JYPE band revealed their official light band, a stray away from the usual lightsticks, much to the delight of their fans, My Days. With its watch-like design and adjustable strap, DAY6 fans don’t have to worry about rocking out too much during concerts as they can just slap this cheering material around their wrist!

Now you may be wondering about our last lightstick feature. Yes, it is definitely a potato. And yes, it was personally made by N.Flying themselves. Last January 2018, the young FNC band released their title track ‘Hot Potato’. And as a celebration, the boys of N.Flying made an affordable yet creative cheering aid for their fans with the use of potatoes. They were originally planning to use a Korean snack called tornado potatoes, but eventually opted for actual potatoes designed by themselves. Although this is not their official lightstick yet, it would be cool if they could incorporate something similar in the future too!

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Well there you have it! These are just a few of the amazing lightstick designs we have in the K-Pop industry right now so keep an eye out for more! Make sure to vote on our poll on which featured lightstick is your favorite! Do you have your own favourite lightsticks? Share it with us! 😀

[powr-poll id=1e81bca9_1531312710154]

*This article is not a paid post and is strictly based on the writer’s personal preferences.

Written By: Yaine & Lisa
Photo Credit: Respective official accounts & Yaine

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