I was still reeling from the previous two hours.
My friend and I had seats right in front of the stage’s barricade and the lights were still on while we waited for the encore we knew was coming. During this brief intermission, different Stray Kids songs played while the cameramen randomly displayed fans dancing the group’s choreography on the Jumbotron. I was talking to the two girls behind me in-between songs trying to exchange contact info before our phones died. The music was loud, the bass thrumming through my veins, while cheers grew ever louder for whichever lucky fan appeared on screen.
There were vibrant red streamers sprawled at my feet and the smoke from the confetti cannons was still clearing out. I was having the time of my life dancing alongside my friend. We knew by heart the choreography for every song. We were singing every lyric at the top of our lungs and the stage lights made the sweat on our skin shimmer. Never in a million years did I think I would appear on the Jumbotron moving to “MANIAC” by Stray Kids with one of my best friends while the artists themselves cheered us on from back stage. But it happened.
Released in March 2022, “MANIAC” is the lead track off ODDINARY, the eighth mini-album by K-pop group Stray Kids.
“MANIAC” is emblematic of the K-pop fan’s experience. Its lyrics stress the idea that society’s idea of “normal” is all wrong. We force ourselves to play a role that we don’t want to in order to fit in. We treat our inner selves as freaks, when in reality, the facade we put on is actually what’s odd. There is no need for such a facade at a K-pop concert, where fans are free to express pure joy.
Many K-pop acts launched world tours in 2022. After a long pandemic pause, we can finally see the groups we have come to love.
As a fan in the U.S, opportunities are limited, so when they come I have to pounce. I’m prepared to hop a flight, buy a new outfit, and clear my phone storage. At a K-pop concert, I’m surrounded by my fellow maniacs. I’m fortunate to say I, like so many other K-pop fanatics, am living my best life because of K-pop. Who’s really doing it like us?
Video and post produced for Multimedia Storytelling course Fall 2022.
Sources:
Kia Forum FAQs
“The K-Pop Fans Economy: Emotional Bond, Endless Support and Overconsumption
Saranghello K-Pop Official Store
P1Harmony Concert GRWM – Yeimy Cifuentes
WENT TO TWICE CONCERT WITH TWICE MAKEUP – Jooshica
Enhypen Concert Vlog – Helen Getnet
MY FIRST BTS CONCERT! – Deja Monea
HOBI CAUGHT MY FLOWERS – London Juliet
Ateez in LA Concert Vlog – Deja Monea
NEW YORK + TXT ACT:LOVESICK CONCERT VLOG – lalamanuela
Seventeen Soundcheck Concert Vlog – Jooshica
TXT Live at Lollapalooza 2022
NCT LA CONCERT VLOG – Yeimy Cifuentes
Kpop Concert Vlog: Twice Encore in LA – milkyboos
ENHYPEN CONCERT VLOG – Reiner Acuario
VLOG: Itzy 1st World Tour Checkmate – actuallyadrienne
stray kids maniac tour vlog – fati
2022 STRAY KIDS MANIAC TOUR EXPERIENCE – JREKML
ateez ticketing experience – mostly sarra
GETTING ENHYPEN TICKETS IN 20 MINUTES – girlwithluv
what’s in my kpop concert bag – k8tiny
MY BEST TICKETING EXPERIENCE EVER?! – ARTivitis
BLACKPINK World Tour “Born pink’ in Dallas D-1 – Mook’s World Channel
BUYING STRAY KIDS (스트레이키즈) TICKETS – Dear, 텐
All other videos and photos by Laura Stevenson.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Stevenson is an aspiring journalist and Media Studies major at the University of San Francisco. She enjoys live entertainment and K-pop, along with uncovering stories behind many other cultural industries that influence her generation.
