The iconic cheering culture of K-pop is set to debut at the Paris Olympics. HYBE created the Team Korea Cheer Lightstick to support the South Korean national team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in collaboration with the Korea Sports Association (KSA) and its president, Lee Ki-heung.
In K-pop, lightsticks are an essential part of fan culture. Each K-pop group has its own unique lightstick design and colors, symbolizing the group’s identity. Fans bring these lightsticks to concerts and other events to show their support. During performances, coordinated displays of lightsticks create a visually stunning sea of lights that enhances the experience for fans and artists alike. This fosters a stronger sense of community among fans and provides powerful encouragement to the artists.
Now, with the Team Korea Cheer Lightstick, supporters of the Korean national team can offer similar encouragement to athletes at the Paris Olympics. Inspired by the Olympic torch, the lightstick features a transparent top housing the Team Korea logo, symbolizing the identity of the Korean team. The light-emitting part below the logo resembles an Olympic stadium, creating a ripple effect when illuminated. The athlete’s version includes a taegukgi (Korean flag) at the top.
Hybe, may pa-light stick sa Team Korea na sasabak sa 2024 Paris Olympics
Spreading the lightstick culture
HYBE will give 500 lightsticks to the Korean team. They will also distribute approximately 4,500 lightsticks to supporters participating in group cheering events at the Korea House in Paris. There, hundreds of people, including athletes’ families and various dignitaries, will gather to watch and cheer for the Korean team while waving their lightsticks in the air.
SEVENTEEN’s subunit BooSeokSoon or BSS (composed of Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi) will also do its part to support Team Korea. BSS will lead the Team Korea Cheer Challenge with their hit single “Fighting.” A challenge video was released on the Korea Sports Council’s Instagram and other social media channels on the 10th, followed by relay challenge videos by the national team.
@ksocpr 부석순이 2024 파리올림픽에 나서는 팀코리아 선수들을 응원합니다!💙 부석순과 함께 팀코리아 선수들을 응원해주세요! 팀코리아 파이팅 해야지!💪 @SEVENTEEN 다음 챌린지를 진행해주실 펜싱 오상욱 선수@ohsu.o_o 와 근대5종 전웅태 선수 @jun__oo__ !! 함께 응원해주세요!🥰 #팀코리아파이팅해야지 #파이팅해야지 #2024파리올림픽 #팀코리아 #TEAMKOREA
During the Olympics, HYBE will provide video content by its artists to the Korea House, which serves as the Korea Promotion Center. This will include music videos and variety content from HYBE Labels artists, as well as displays of the lightsticks and official merchandise. A photo event featuring Wootteo, a character made for BTS member Jin’s hit single “The Astronaut,” will also be part of the attractions. Finally, HYBE will also produce ‘cheer slogans’ as official merchandise for Team Korea, supplied to the KSA.
HYBE stated, “Spreading the lightstick culture from K-pop to the international sports arena represents a meaningful initiative for HYBE as an entertainment company. The lightstick’s value in connecting people with a single light aligns perfectly with the unified cheering culture of the Olympics.” – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The lightsticks look so cool, especially the athlete’s version! Source: X/@gureumsai0217.