Many people who are interested in performing arts are put off from taking their first steps towards getting involved because they can't access information. I know that this was the case with me. I hope that the information I have published on this blog will help you to get involved with the performing arts. Over the past couple of years, I have had the pleasure of learning lots about the performing arts and I would like to share this knowledge with you. I have taken part in dance shows and I have even acted in plays. I hope you enjoy this blog!
K-pop: you may not know what all the fuss is about, but your child or teen certainly does. Over the last decade, the Korean pop sensation has swept the world, and Australia is no exception. These days, you can even find albums by K-pop mega groups like Blackpink and BTS in the Australian charts. If your kid's birthday is coming up and you want to give them a K-pop-related gift that's more exciting than a merch t-shirt, here are three perfect gift ideas to consider.
A Light Stick
If you're unfamiliar with K-pop, you may never have heard of a light stick, but they're one of the most important parts of Korean pop fan culture. As the name suggests, a light stick is a plastic rod with a light on one end, designed primarily to be waved around at concerts. Every light stick is unique to the group it represents. The Blackpink light stick, for example, resembles a novelty squeaky hammer, while the Twice light stick is shaped like a lollipop. Getting a light stick manufactured is a rite of passage for K-pop groups, and buying or receiving one is a special moment for any fan. When you're looking for a gift, you can't go wrong with a light stick for your kid's favourite group.
Concert Tickets
If your child was a huge fan of an Australian artist, your first thought for gift ideas would most likely be concert tickets. However, when it comes to K-pop artists, many parents mistakenly think that buying their child concert tickets would involve round-trip airfare to Korea, too. But you might be surprised to learn that more and more K-pop groups are adding western countries to their tours — including Australia.
Big K-pop groups like BTS, BIGBANG, Wanna One, Blackpink, DAY6, GOT7, Monsta X, iKon, Stray Kids and more have all added Australia concert dates to their world tours. Even more are expected to follow suit in the future, especially since many K-pop artists are Korean-Australians themselves. So, it's always a good idea to check if your child's favourite groups are holding Australia concerts soon. You should also look out for those groups' names in upcoming K-pop 'festivals', which bring multiple Korean artists together in one concert.
Dance Classes
Unlike with most western pop, Korean pop isn't just about the singing — dancing is equally important. Almost every single K-pop group has its own unique choreography, and one of the most fun activities for any K-pop fan is trying to learn the moves. Of course, since Korean artists train in dancing for many years before making their debut, K-pop dances can be hard for a beginner to pick up.
That's why your child might enjoy dance classes as a gift. While you probably won't be able to find K-pop dance classes in your area, any lessons will help your child get to grips with dancing and help them master that tough choreography. And, if they get good enough, there are plenty of K-pop dance cover competitions around the world for your kid to participate in and maybe even win a chance to meet their idol.