K-Pop Fandom

Why Are Korean Photo Booths So Popular? A Guide to Four-Cut Photos in Korea

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Friends taking four-cut photos together at a self-service photo booth in Seoul

Walk through a busy neighborhood in Seoul and you may notice something that looks familiar but works a little differently from the photo booths you know. Friends disappear behind a curtain, a countdown begins, several poses happen in rapid succession, and a few minutes later everyone walks out holding narrow strips of photos. These are … 더 읽기

What Is K-Pop Fandom Culture? A Beginner’s Guide to Lightsticks, Fanchants and Photocards

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K-pop fans holding glowing lightsticks together at a concert in Seoul

K-pop can be surprisingly confusing when you first step beyond the music. Why is everyone at a concert holding the same glowing object? How do thousands of fans know exactly what to shout during a song? Why does opening a new album sometimes feel more like opening a pack of collectible cards? These are all … 더 읽기