A Guide to KPop Lightsticks: What to Know and Where to Get Them
Having seen a number of KPop acts over the years while living in Korea, the idea of the lightsticks wasn’t new to me. However, I was recently working on a trends project for a company and realized just how vast the KPop lightstick phenom is. I went down the rabbit hole and have found the best websites to buy Kpop lightsticks online right now.
These days, whether you’re at concerts in person or watching shows live online, Kpop lightsticks can even sync to the show so those at home can get in on the light fun too. It’s really quite amazing.
My husband, who is an indie musician here in Korea never had this lightstick phenom, so it is definitely something unique to the KPOP industry. After we got a BTS nightlight in one of our Seoulboxes, my daughter has become really interested in these light up options that go with her favorite singers (she quite likes Blackpink).
Here is a complete guide to the KPOP lightsticks from how it all started to where you can buy a lightstick online.
- What is a KPOP lightstick?
- How did lightsticks start?
- Where can I buy an official KPOP lightstick?
- Fun Facts About Kpop Lightsticks
- Popular KPop Lightsticks
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)
What is a KPOP lightstick?
KPOP lightsticks are a unique sign that identifies different fandoms. Each KPOP group has a different stylized lightstick and everyone from new fans to highly interactive fans try to get one. I guess that’s why you’re here, am I right?
For those people who grew up heading to concerts in concert halls or on outdoor lawns and watching their favorite musicians rock it out on a stage, a lightstick might be something new… or it will make you harken back to when people used to raise their lighters in the air.
The lightsticks are portable devices that light up and glow. The lightsticks, which are between 15cm-20cm long, are often seen at concerts and in the time of Covid, many KPOP groups were using their lightsticks as ways to bring their fans together through online concerts.
The lightsticks usually have the group’s logo and some unique features or design to make it different from other lightsticks. Modern Kpop lightsticks can even sync with a central control point at concerts so they all sync in the audience. They’re pretty. They’re cool. And, they sync!
How did lightsticks start?
The history of the Kpop lightsticks is pretty interesting. Kpop fandoms are intense and people in them have a huge sense of solidarity. Kpop isn’t just about the music, but it’s community, friendship, and the experience. Though lightsticks weren’t really around for first generation Kpop groups and fans in the 90s, they became a vital part of the fandoms because of that first generation that wanted to show their support.
In the beginning, Kpop groups were color coded and fans would buy clothing, balloons, and either items in a particular color to show their support. From colors, lightsticks were born, thanks to BigBang, and it made it easier in multiple act shows for the audience to change and show their support as necessary.
The first light sticks were just though, light on sticks and super simple. Today, they are far more complicated and can even be personalized. Lightsticks now have Bluetooth capabilities, might be charging ports, and can by synced to live concerts.
BigBang was the group that took the idea of simple lightsticks and made them something fans needed to have. With the BigBong, fans were made to hold them aloft and stand out in a sea of light. Thought the lightstick was invented by BigBang, they didn’t really become mainstream and popular until the second generation of Kpop.
While they were originally sold exclusively at concerts for fans, today, fans can find some of the best Kpop lightsticks online. Now, almost every group has a fandom with a lightstick just for them. And you can have one too.
Where can I buy an official KPOP lightstick?
There isn’t one website for lightstick shopping unfortunately. You might need to search around a bit to find the one you’re looking for. But there are some great websites with good lightstick collections. Also, if you just want one lightstick from a particular group, check out their official website first. If you want more things or options, here’s where to start your search.
KPop Omo: KPop Omo is run by die-hard KPop fans for die-hard KPop fans. With lightsticks from more than 30 groups and lightsticks from different generations, this is the website to start with on your search for KPop lightsticks among other KPop merchandise.
Daebak: Daebak is a company that started in LA in 2015 with a mission to inspire and unite the global Hallyu community. In 2018, the team decided to pick up and move to Seoul where they can promote from the source. They have lightsticks from must about every group as well as KPop merch, KBeauty goods, and everything else you could want from Korea really.
- Check the lighsticks on Daeback here and use the code “HALLIE” to get 5% off your order.
Cokodive: Cokodive is a trusted seller of official Kpop lightsticks and fans worldwide get lightsticks from them. They stock lightsticks from all of the top groups, are based in South Korea, but ship internationally for free. They have a lot of collectibles that can be difficult to find as well.
Amazon: You might be surprised there are official lightsticks available on Amazon. But much like everything else, they are. Make sure you’ve found a trusted seller with good reviews before purchase and quite a few of the groups or their management have their own shops on Amazon so read the info closely before purchase.
KPop Shop: Another great site to buy Kpop lightsticks. They have a lot of products from various groups and offer free shipping as well.
- Find the Kpop merch on Kpopshop here.
Fun Facts About Kpop Lightsticks
- Lightsticks can cost anywhere between $30 and $150.
- In Korean, lightsticks are called 응원봉 (eungwonbong). Because the word is a bit long and difficult to say for some people, maybe people just call lightsticks, “bongs”.
- Lightstick creation is based on the demand from the fandom so not all groups will have one. They’re generally created after a group has released one or two CDs.
- IU’s 2019 “Love, Poem” Concert Limited Edition Lightstick is one of the most expensive Kpop lightsticks out there and can cost around $350 when in great condition.
Popular KPop Lightsticks
If you’re looking for a specific lightstick from a specific group, here’s what you need to know about them.
BTS Lightstick
As the most popular Kpop group coming out of Korea, their lightstick, or I should say lightsticks, are the most popular too. There are multiple generations of BTS lightsticks with the first introduced in 2015 and called the Army Bomb.
There have been three more and the fourth generation of the Army Bomb was released in 2020. The general design hasn’t changed much but the specifications have.
Blackpink Lightstick
The official Blackpink lightstick was released in 2018 and has two colors… you can guess what they are, right? The black and pink lightsticks have two pink lights on each side of the black handle.
BigBang Lightstick
The first ever Kpop lightstick, the Bangbong from BigBang is up to its 4th version. The first version was designed by G-Dragon and all versions similarly have a yellow crown on top. The 4th version is both a lightstick and a powerbank, which everyone needs at a concert.
They also have keychain versions, limited edition lightsticks, a light ring, and more awesome lightstick options.
TWICE Lightstick
Named the Candy Bong and the Candy Bong Z, there are two versions of the TWICE lightstick which were based on their song ‘Candy Boy’. The first stick was released in 2016 and the second was released in 2019.
The first lightstick looks like a lollipop and the 2nd version looks quite different with a black center. The light on this stick connects via the official TWICE app and can be synced at concerts to a central control and it also comes with a stand so that it can act as a mood light in your room.
Mamamoo Lightstick
The Mamamoo lightstick is called the Moomoobong and there are multiple generations of this cute lightstick which looks like a radish and produces 5 LED colors.
The Moomoobong lightstick vibrates and was actually designed with disabled fans with limited hearing and eyesight in mind.
Red Velvet Lightstick
Released in 2018, the Red Velvet lightstick was the first girl group lightstick to be launched under SM Entertainment. The design is minimalist with just the groups initials on the band surrounded by a pink dome.
EXO Lightstick
The first version of the EXO lightstick was released in 2015 and the second was released shortly after in 2016. Now there’s also a third generation of the design with all being similar though their features have changed over the years. The 3rd version of the EXO lightstick has a whiter handle and a silver hexagon with the logo on the top.
Seventeen Lightstick
Called the Caratbong after their fandom CARATs, the Seventeen lightstick features a diamond in a sparkly sphere. This lightstick which uses the group’s official colors, rose quartz and serenity, is actually customizable because you can open it up.
Some of the Seventeen fans have been extremely creative to make their lightstick stand out. It is one of the most popular Kpop lightsticks on the market.
MONSTA X Lightstick
The MONSTA X lightstick is called the Mondoongie and was released in 2017 in celebration of the group’s 2nd anniversary. The handle of the lightstick is black with their logo in turquoise.
The logo changes colors when turned on and can be connected through Bluetooth.
SHINee Lightstick
The SHINee lightstick has a white handle with a blue diamond on top that looks like a microphone. The SHINee lightstick can be synced at concerts and connected through Bluetooth to your phone.
GFriend Lightstick
The GFriend lightstick is called the Glass Marble stick and was released in 2017 with the second generation released in 2019. The design from the first to the second lightstick changed so that the handle is black instead of white and the dome on top has a different ‘G’ design.
The light from this lightstick can be synced at concerts with a central control and to the GFriend app via Bluetooth.
Stray Kids Lightstick
The Stray Kids lightstick is called the Nachimbong and was released in November 2019. The lightstick has a white handle with a red and silver compass that moves and reads “You make Stray Kids stay”.
This lightstick can be paired with your seat at concerts or to your phone with Bluetooth and can produce any color since it has an RGBW LED. You can find their lightstick on the official Stray Kids Amazon shop, FYI.
Pentagon Lightstick
The Pentagon lightstick is the Unibong and was released in 2017 and has a navy handle with a globe on top with their logo inside.
TXT Lightstick
The TXT lightstick is another that can sync to an app and can connect via Bluetooth. It comes with photocards and a strap too.
How to spot an official one: The first T on the handle should be yellow, the X should be green and the last T should be light blue.
ATEEZ Lightstick
Arriving in a box that looks like a pirate’s treasure chest, the ATEEZ lightstick looks like a globe with a compass and hourglass inside of it. It can be connected to your smartphone, too.
NCT Lightstick
NCT released their official lightstick in 2018 and it features a green top with the name of the group on four sides. The NCT lightstick connects via Bluetooth at concerts so that the lightsticks flash to the beat of the music.
Official NCT lightsticks have two white sides and two green sides.
It’s time to get your Korean lightstick. Did you like this post? PIN IT!
