The Newest Lightsticks Announced Aren’t For K-Pop Groups…But Thai BL Couples Instead
One of the merchandise items that K-Pop fans identify with the most is lightsticks. Many groups have their own specially designed lightsticks that fans can purchase and use during concerts or other events.
Lightsticks are so important that the debut of a new design can attract mixed reactions from fans and netizens. For example, the debut of the second version of ATEEZ’s lightstick received a range of reactions from fans, while IVE’s lightstick debut attracted different comments from netizens.
atinys on my tl about Ateez's new lightiny😭: pic.twitter.com/BrMj7gSi5c
— ⧖ (@sector70z) September 28, 2022
ive lightstick i’m sorry for doubting you i never thought you were this pretty in person it’s just that sse sucks on marketing your beauty by making you look like a toy’s flashlight made last minute pic.twitter.com/h353UxBZtZ
— arin (@nyeongdefender) February 6, 2023
The latest lightstick debuts are attracting attention not because of how they look but instead who they are for.
GMMTV is a Thai television production and talent subsidiary that produces television shows, songs, and music videos, including BL (or boy-love) dramas. On the GMMTV official site, fans can purchase a variety of official merchandise from their favorite shows.
On February 8, the GMMTV shop’s official Twitter account shared two new products that would be available for preorder, surprising fans. While a lightstick announcement would not necessarily be shocking for a musician, GMMTV announced two lightstick designs for two of its BL couples!
PRE ORDER NOW! OFFGUN OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK ON GMMTV SHOP 💚
💚👶 OFFGUN OFFICIAL LIGHT STICKhttps://t.co/91QTAqUYjc#OffGunLightstick#OffGun #ออฟกัน#GMMTV pic.twitter.com/xdgEhGvcTX
— GMMTV SHOP (@GmmtvShop) February 8, 2023
PRE ORDER NOW! TAYNEW OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK ON GMMTV SHOP 💙
💙 TAYNEW OFFICIAL LIGHT STICKhttps://t.co/1Uv6NEUB61#TayNewLightstick#TayNew #เตนิว#GMMTV pic.twitter.com/IewT1PcTaX
— GMMTV SHOP (@GmmtvShop) February 8, 2023
The first lightstick resembles a baby’s bottle and is for the OffGun couple (Off” Jumpol Adulkittiporn and “Gun” Atthaphan Phunsawat) that has appeared in many different dramas and shows including Senior Secret Love, OffGun Fun Night, and Theory of Love.
The second lightstick is for the TayNew couple (“Tay” Tawan Vihokratana and “New” Thitipoom Techaapaikhun) known for their appearances in Dark Blue Kiss and Kiss Me: The Series.
Both lightsticks boast being co-designed by each couple, and it seems like fans are anticipating their release.
THIS IS SOO CUTE I WANT FK LIGHTSTICK THOUGH. 😭 https://t.co/SQ5tXmzz20
— jill 🌘 (@jillryujin) February 8, 2023
Whoaaaa this is so beautiful 😲😲 #Taynew #เตนิว https://t.co/SVOoihbMUh
— airi 🍯🍒 – don’t take others ENG TRANS w/o credit (@chimmieez) February 8, 2023
Can't wait for #OffGun's Sea of Chupon (baby bottle) on May 2023. GO TH babiisss !! https://t.co/XbAFJWTKqQ
— Egggu (@Egggulove) February 8, 2023
BL actors often hold in-person fan meetings, just like K-celebrities, where they perform and play games with fans, so it makes sense why these two couples would get their lightsticks!