A seemingly innocent post by a fan who brought aespa‘s lightstick to watch IVE‘s concert in Taipei has sparked a debate among netizens.
IVE’s concert in Taipei | @IVEstarship/Twitter
Crazy. Aespa’s lightstick is being centrally-controlled at IVE’s concert.
– Threads user
While the original poster was shocked by the technology, netizens focused on the fact that they brought another group’s lightstick to a concert, and a debate ensued. Some are absolutely against the idea…
What’s with bringing another girl group’s lightstick? Super disrespectful…
– Threads user
There’s no requirement to bring a lightstick to a concert. Lightsticks give fans a higher sense of engagement during the performances, but it’s okay not to have one. It’s fine to support your beloved idols by screaming instead. However, bringing another group’s lightstick to a concert is very rude and disrespectful to the performers on stage.
– Threads user
aespa (left) and IVE (right) lightstick | SM Entertainment, Starship Entertainment
While others don’t see a problem with it…
I think buying tickets to support them is enough to show how much you love them. Previously, I couldn’t afford a lightstick, so I was like a total outsider at the concert. However, if you can’t afford one but want to participate with everyone else, I can understand it, as long as you’re not an anti or doing it with malicious intent.
– Threads user
Does it make a difference? The colors of the lightsticks are the same anyway, and they paid the same ticket price. I doubt the performers on stage can tell they’re holding a different lightstick.
– Threads user
A commenter even attempted to summarize the opinions of various groups of people.
The comments right now.
Fans from Europe and the Americas: OK
Artists themselves: OK
Fans from Asia: Not OK
– Threads user
It looks like there is no consensus on the matter, and the debate will continue as long as someone continues to bring another group’s lightstick to a show.
