It's a K-pop Thing
A podcast by two journalists and K-pop fans who love to bring a little nuance to the fan experience. Hosted by Theresa Avila and Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum, two journalists, friends, and fellow K-pop multi-stans, each episode of It's a K-pop Thing explores the fan culture and the stories behind the people who've helped grow K-pop into a global phenomenon.
In each episode you can expect analysis and commentary on trending K-pop news stories with the right amount of background and context for new and old fans alike. It's a K-pop Thing is, "the show where we talk about all the things that make K-pop distinctly K-pop." Follow the Show: @IKPTpod on Instagram
It's a K-pop Thing
Watching BTS Up Close at Their Comeback Concert in Seoul
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*This is Part 1 of a mini-series on the Return of BTS*
We're trying something new on the pod ... a mini-series! It's been nearly 4 years since the 7 members of BTS released new music as a group and there's plenty to talk about. To mark the occasion we're taking a close look at what this moment means for BTS and for the industry as a whole.
To kick off this mini-series, we're rewinding a few weeks to the group's first performance in Seoul in front of Gwanghwamun in Seoul, South Korea. We chat with a journalist and fan who saw the comeback concert in person and was lucky enough to be up close to center stage. We also discuss the album's rise to the top of the charts and whether or not the Netflix livestream lived up to fan's expectations.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Setting the Stage
- ARIRANG's dominance on the Billboard charts
- The album in numbers: the sales, streams and milestones
- Crowd attendance: How many people actually showed up for the comeback?
- About the director of the Netflix Livestream: Hamish Hamilton
- Why the Netflix livestream maybe missed the mark
- What K-pop fans really want to see during a performance
Interview with Philiana Ng
- Winning a raffle prize on WeVerse - what are the odds?
- What the concert was really like for fans in the audience
- What the cameras didn't capture about the members on stage
- Does the new album represent BTS 2.0?
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Philiana Ng is an entertainment journalist who regularly covers television. You can find her work on publications like Yahoo! MSN, the Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Tonight, among others.
- Instagram: @philiana1
- X: @insidethetube
SHOW LINKS & ARTICLES:
- BTS the Comeback Live: Arirang’: 10 things you didn’t see on TV during the Netflix special (Gold Derby)
- BTS rampages back to the top of the charts (NPR)
- BTS stays at No. 1 on the charts — and thwarts Ye in the process (NPR)
CREDITS:
This episode was produced, recorded and edited by Theresa Avila. Our theme music is by Edna Lugo. Our cover art design is by Alejandro Abarca.
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
LINKS TO SOCIAL:
- It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpod
- Alexis: @hoe_doyan
- Theresa: @theresa__avila
CONTACT:
E-mail us at: itsakpopthing@alkemielab.com