[HanCinema's Korea Joa] iKON Debut Concert

K-pop is one of the biggest exports in Korean entertainment. International fans love its sleek, well-polished, talented, and extremely good-looking idols. HanCinema attended the debut of an idol group that already had a major following from its rookie days: iKON. The concert-going experience was enhanced because it was in Korea where local entertainers appreciate their fans differently from international ones.

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The iKON members have been in the Kpop scene since 2013 when five members of the boy group participated in the reality survival program "Who is Next: Win". They lost and have been working towards their debut since then with the addition of two members. This group is polished, confident, and well put-together. They were most certainly ready for this debut - and so were their fans. A coalition of fan groups known as the iKON Fan Union came together to create welcome back signs that read "We Missed You" as a sign of their love and dedication, which the boys happily (and tearfully) received.

The show was comprised of several elements: guest appearances from YG labelmates, fan service in the form of a skinship heavy basketball game, wristbands for each audience member that glowed in sync, and meticulously organized staging, lights, sound, and sets. The wristbands were particularly striking as fans waved their arms in unison to songs that they sang along with word for word. Korean fans have a specific code of conduct that they follow at concerts: sitting in their seats at all times, singing along with fanchants, synchronized movements, creating posters for their favorite group members, and a well-known stubborn streak. The singular lull in the concert was when the fans in the standing-room-only section crowded together and created a safety hazard so the concert was stopped. A YG representative came out during the pause and painstakingly coaxed them back to a more comfortable distance from the stage barriers. It was difficult for devoted fans to move away from their Kpop biases.

iKON's appearances on television shows like "Who Is Next: Win" increased their popularity. Bobby and leader B.I also appeared on a rap survival program, "Show Me The Money 3", where B.I made it to the top ten and Bobby won the show. This brought the two members fame and helped to boost iKONs fame amongst the ranks of better known artists and the many new rookie groups. A second reality survival show called "Mix & Match" rounded out the members of iKON. All of these high-intensity and high-pressure practice and performance situations molded the boys into well-trained performers, and that was very apparent at their debut concert.

What also contributed to the success of their debut were the very polished sets, lights, and effects, the appearance of labels mates Epik High, Jinusean, and Jang Hanna, and some heavy fanservice. The more seasoned acts of Epic High and Jinusean added body to the night, like a few years would on a good wine, and the fanservice riled up every fan in the audience, nearly to the point of frenzy. It was strategically planned, and also engaging.

It is no wonder, with the polish, practice, and the fandom, that idol group members are often found in film and drama. They are talented, hard-working individuals who are hot human commodities that boost nearly every industry they touch. It is in concerts like iKON's that the energy of the fans and the enormity of Kpop can truly be felt.