HYBE has announced an exciting new venture for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics: the creation of an official light stick for ‘Team Korea’. This marks the first time light sticks will be used in the Olympics, aiming to bring a piece of K-pop culture to the global sports stage. In partnership with the Korea Sports Council, HYBE will distribute ‘Team Korea Light Sticks’ to energize fans and athletes alike.
Earlier this year, HYBE signed an agreement with the Korea Sports Council to innovate and lead both domestic and international cheering cultures, specifically at the Paris Olympics. This initiative will see over 5,000 light sticks produced with HYBE’s proprietary technology. They will also collaborate with HYBE artists to create engaging cheering content, set up Korea House in Paris, and produce official ‘Team Korea’ merchandise.
The light sticks, inspired by the Olympic torch, will be available in two versions: a general version for fans and an athlete-specific version. The design features the ‘Team Korea’ logo in a transparent top case handle, symbolizing the South Korean team’s spirit. The glowing part of the light stick is designed to mimic the wave-like effect of spectators in an Olympic stadium, enhancing the cheering experience.
To foster a supportive atmosphere, HYBE will initially distribute these light sticks at the team selection ceremony for the Paris Olympics. A special performance using the light sticks will be held on July 27, the day after the opening ceremony, at Korea House in Paris. Hundreds of supporters, including athletes’ families and dignitaries, will gather to watch and cheer for the South Korean team, creating a vibrant and unified cheering atmosphere similar to a K-pop concert.
Adding to the excitement, SEVENTEEN’s sub-unit BSS (Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi) will support ‘Team Korea’ with a special “Team Korea Cheering Challenge”. They will perform their hit song “Let’s Fight” to boost team morale, with challenge videos released on various social media platforms.
During the Olympics, HYBE will also provide exclusive video content from their artists at Korea House. This includes music videos, entertainment content, and an exhibit featuring light sticks and official merchandise. Activities like a photo event with a large doll of Wootteo, BTS Jin’s character, will further promote K-content. Additionally, HYBE will produce official cheering slogans as part of ‘Team Korea’s merchandise, blending the worlds of K-pop and sports in a spectacular fashion.
With these initiatives, HYBE aims to introduce a new cheering culture to the world of sports, showcasing the power and unity of K-pop fandom on a global stage.
