![On July 20 of last year, various K-pop lightsticks used by fans at concerts were displayed at the special exhibition "The [ ] We Loved, and Hallyu," held at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Yonhap)](http://koreabizwire.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/kpop-lightstick.png)
On July 20 of last year, various K-pop lightsticks used by fans at concerts were displayed at the special exhibition “The [ ] We Loved, and Hallyu,” held at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Yonhap)
As crowds chant and wave lightsticks to popular songs, the vibrant displays are transforming the nation’s protest culture.
Protesters holding banners and light sticks call for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and arrest in front of the National Assembly on Dec. 8, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Lightstick Rentals and Sales Skyrocket
Secondhand marketplaces like Karrot and Bungaejangter have seen a surge in listings for K-pop lightsticks, coinciding with the protests. Listings include offers like, “Rent my lightstick for protests—₩1,000 refund if you show proof of attendance!” or “Selling a barely-used lightstick that’s been sitting in my drawer.”
Lightsticks for groups like BTS, NewJeans, SHINee, and NCT are being rented for ₩3,000–₩5,000 ($2–$4) per day, or sold for ₩10,000–₩15,000 ($7–$10)—significantly cheaper than new models, which typically cost ₩40,000–₩60,000 ($28–$42). Searches for “lightstick” on Bungaejangter spiked by 1,900% in the first week of December compared to the previous week.
A Practical and Fun Choice
Participants see lightsticks as a practical and affordable alternative to traditional protest items like candles. “Instead of buying an overpriced LED candle I’d rarely use, I borrowed an extra lightstick from a resale platform,” said a 20-something office worker who attended a protest with her family.
Experts say this trend highlights the practicality and resourcefulness of younger generations. “Younger people view secondhand transactions positively, and their willingness to search for lightsticks on these platforms reflects their focus on frugal and sustainable consumption,” said Lee Young-ae, a consumer studies professor at Incheon University.
A “lightstick” is the “crowning touch” of K-pop performances, enhancing the concert’s “artistic completeness” while serving as a tool to connect artists and fans. The photo shows BLACKPINK. (Image
provided by YG Entertainment)
A Cultural and Economic Phenomenon
The lightstick trend also aligns with the “YONO” mindset—short for “You Only Need One”—which encourages minimal, practical consumption. By repurposing concert memorabilia, protest participants are expanding the utility of items they already own, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward sustainable practices amid rising living costs.
Moreover, the process of trading and using lightsticks fosters a sense of community. “From acquiring the lightstick to participating in the protest, young people treat the entire experience as a form of social interaction and play,” added Professor Lee.
This convergence of practicality, culture, and activism underscores how younger South Koreans are reshaping the traditional protest narrative with creativity and a flair for the unexpected.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
