Remember when K-pop concerts felt like a magical place where everyone screamed in sync, waved their lightsticks together and cried during ballads without worrying about getting elbowed in the face? Yeah... those days are slowly disappearing. What we have now? A jungle of phones, fans pushing for barricade and some folks acting like they’re the lead in a K-drama episode titled "When He Locked Eyes With Me and Fell in Love."
This blog post was inspired by the recent straykids concert. Let’s unpack what’s really going on at concerts lately and why some of us are quietly mourning the loss of old-school fan culture while dodging the newer, main character energy that’s starting to influence the scene.
What Happened to Concert Etiquette?
Concert etiquette used to be a thing. You came in with your lightstick, your fan chant skills sharpened and your heart full of love for the group. The unwritten rules were simple:
- Don't block other fans’ views with giant signs or phones.
- Don’t scream over members during their ending ments or solo stages.
- Respect personal space (I can’t believe this even needs to be said now).
- Share the barricade; if someone’s shorter than you, let them see too.
But nowadays? It’s wild. You’ve got people recording the entire set with phones raised high like we all paid to see the back of an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Some are live streaming from the crowd instead of actually watching the performance. And let’s not even talk about those who stand on chairs or push forward aggressively just for the chance to be noticed by an idol.
It feels like the joy of experiencing a concert has been replaced by the need to prove you were there. For clout? Maybe. For a viral fancam? Possibly. For an imaginary fanfic moment? Who knows.
“Y/N” Energy & Acting Out
Ah yes, Y/N energy. If you know, you know. For the uninitiated, “Y/N” is short for Your Name; aka fanfic reader-inserts where the idol magically falls in love with you at first sight. And while fanfics are so so (no judgment), some fans are now taking this fantasy a little too far... IRL.
There’s a growing number of fans who show up to concerts expecting something more than just a performance. They’re there for a moment. The moment. The eye contact. The wave. The he smiled at me, it’s fate moment. And when that doesn’t happen? You’d be surprised how quick it turns into entitlement, disappointment, or even aggression toward the group or other fans surrounding them.
The whole main character syndrome of wanting to be seen so badly and turning it into a competition for who can be the most “noticed.” And it’s not always cute.
Sometimes, this behavior gets disruptive:
- Fans blocking others for their own fancam.
- Fans throwing things on stage just to get a reaction.
- Fans screaming something unrelated during quiet moments, just for attention.
It’s giving "this isn’t about the concert, it’s about me" energy. And it’s starting to affect everyone.
Yes It Affects Even The Idols
This whole shift towards main character energy messes with the vibe.
Other fans are missing out on enjoying the show because someone in front of them is holding a whole tripod, dancing to get filmed, or screeching in ways that doesn't match the mood. It pulls the focus away from the music and performance and makes it harder for others to feel immersed.
And the idols? They’re not dumb. They notice this stuff. They see the fans fighting for attention or trying to steal focus. And let’s not forget, idols are already under a ton of pressure. Now, they have to juggle performing with managing unrealistic fan expectations. That’s exhausting. Some fans want interactions that go way beyond a smile or wave; they want validation, romance, or personalized attention, and that’s not fair to anyone.
Even fancams these days are getting weird. Like... what's happening?
Are We the Problem?
Honestly? Sometimes, yeah. We have to check ourselves.
It’s okay to be excited. It’s okay to want to look cute and maybe even hope your bias sees you. But when that crosses into making others uncomfortable or making the concert about you alone, that’s when it becomes a problem.
K-pop concerts are meant to be shared experiences. We’re all there because we love the same group. Let’s bring that energy back. Cheer loudly. Scream during your fave’s solo. Cry during the ballads. But also, be aware. Be kind. Be respectful.
We can fangirl, fanboy, or fan-nonbinary hard and still keep the vibe fun for everyone.
And with BTS expected to make their long-awaited return to the stage in 2026, the pressure is on. I expect the best etiquette from ARMYs. We should be holding ourselves to a higher standard than this. Not following proper concert etiquette ruins the experience for other attendees and we need to call out these behaviors when we see them. No need to be hostile. A gentle tap on the shoulder or letting someone know their behavior is uncool can make a huge difference. BTS or any idol, for that matter, doesn’t know you personally. Relax. Pipe down. Let’s not ruin this moment we’ve all waited years for because someone decided they had to be the main character.
In The End
Maybe I’m just being nostalgic. Or maybe we really do need to reset and remember why we started attending these concerts in the first place. The music, the connection, the joy of being surrounded by people who love what you love. That’s the core of it all.
So next time you're planning to attend a K-pop concert, ask yourself: Do I want to experience this with everyone? Or just perform for myself?
Let’s save concert etiquette before it becomes completely extinct.
What do you think? Have you noticed this shift too? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Want to see more K-pop rants, concert tips, and fangirl chaos? Stick around for more on the blog! 💿✨
