KPop fandoms are so online: parasocial relationships with idols are the glue that holds the industry together. Everyone constantly has their eyes on online achievements and social media updates create for endless scrolling. As much engagement as this culture creates, life on the KPop net can get tiring, lonely, and eye-straining, so here are some KPop-related activities to try offline for a change.
Buying albums
Physical albums. The staple of KPop fan culture, the meticulously decorated goodies box jammed with various idol-related trinkets. Buying one of these for the first time is an undoubtedly thrilling experience for every fan, so why not enhance the feeling by doing it in person rather than online?
The downside though, is that KPop albums are quite expensive to buy offline in Beijing. If you’re optimistic though, you could consider the additional money spent as a ticket to the experience of having the album accompany you home. Plus, you eliminate the waiting time that comes with online shopping!
For those willing check out a KPop-centric store, there’s YPop Studio or more generic music stores like Disc and m.f.
Find it:
一直娱 YPOP STUDIO
Huawei Center 3f-343, Xicheng District
西城区西单华威大厦3f-343
Find it:
Disc
5F, 101 Chaoyang Joy City Chaoyang North Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城5层
Find it:
m.f. 唱片店
Sanlitun residental district, Nansanli Community No.8, Gongren Tiyuchang North Road Sanlitun SOHO Building B1, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路三里屯soho下沉广场5号商场b1-533
Dance
Visuals – one of the grand appeals of KPop – play a very big factor in fan culture. Great visuals come from great choreography, the subject of countless dance covers and flash mobs.
Want to heighten your participation in this aspect of KPop but don’t know where to start? Here are some basic activities:
Classes
Whether you’re a beginner trying to master a new dance style or just someone who wants a more social atmosphere to accompany their dancing, you can check out the various dance studios in Beijing offering KPop dance classes for dancers of all levels. They teach steps to the choreography of various songs, and require only that you come with a passion for moving!
Check out the dance studios below.
Find it:
梦家舞蹈星功场
Jinjie International Mansion Block C room 803, Shunyi District
顺义站前东街金街国际大厦c座803
Find it:
HIGHLINE舞蹈工作室
Guangqumen Outer Street, Youshige Block A Room 812, Chaoyang District
朝阳区双井优士阁A座812室
Find it:
C.S.C 舞蹈工作室
Time International Block A – 1206, Chaoyang District
时间国际a座1206
Random Play Dances
The sibling of flash mobs, Random Play Dances are games where various choruses from KPop songs are played through a speaker and fans who know the dance moves step up and perform. Luckily, if you’re lost on what songs to practice, organizers will usually publish the song list in advance, but if you’d prefer an element of surprise or just want to stand watching on the sidelines, you can go unprepared!
Some organizers:
@随唱谁跳 on weibo
@随机舞蹈 on weibo
@随机舞蹈官方号 on weibo
Idol birthday events
One of the most important dates after a comeback or a debut is an idol’s birthday. It’s a fleeting moment of celebration that means just as much to the idol as it does to the fans, if not even more! Followers dedicate their time, effort and even money to various events around the globe, ranging from sales in cafes and album stores (official + fan made merchandise) to birthday billboards and videos on light-up screens around the city.
Location of interest:
一直娱 ypop (A hotspot for idol birthday celebrations and sales)
Event organizers:
Fan accounts with large followings on Weibo will usually post events on idol super-topics.
So, as you can see, even in a KPop concert-less city like Beijing, opportunities for offline entertainment are plenty. What’s more, this is not an exhaustive list! Travel around the city and explore the full potential of offline fandom-ing.
Images: Pexels, Jameela Lawal
