Welcome back to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. Today, a thank you to everyone who has read this column over the past few years.
I thought about using today’s column to write about my favorite news of the week — j-hope following ATEEZ on TikTok, which is actually something that can be so personal — but instead, we’re going to take a moment to get in our feelings a little. Believe it or not, the time has almost come for us to say goodbye to Fan Chant, and that news has me feeling quite nostalgic.
Overall, it was so fun to have a place to embrace the communal fan experience every single week, and I loved digging into niche drama or exciting trends every Wednesday. I was also so glad that I had a place to consistently spotlight acts of all sizes, some of whom were far less likely to have been introduced to readers outside of South Korea.
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So today, I’m rounding up some of my most favorite Fan Chant moments from the last few years, including interviews, observations, and general fangirl feelings I was able to share with you all. It meant so much to me whenever one of these installments popped off; I’m so grateful to anyone who has read this column, or my other work, over the past few years. Together, we can bid Fan Chant a fond farewell.
How ATEEZ Crushed Their Coachella Debut and Converted an Audience of Non-Believers
ATEEZ, photo courtesy of KQ Entertainment
I desperately wanted to dig into ATEEZ’s killer Coachella set and adored getting some reports from folks on the ground who were won over by their consistently incredible live performance vibes.
Read it here.
Bring Back Messy Dance Practices
I believed it then, and I believe it now! Make dance practices chaotic and unpolished again.
Read it here.
Balming Tiger Create “K-Pop From the Dark Side”
Balming Tiger, photo by Nikolai Ahn
After I met these guys at a music festival in Norway, I got the scoop on their debut album. Reflecting on this had me spinning “Buriburi” again today, and my conclusion is that it’s still such a banger.
Read it here.
Talking to Jackson Wang About a Jackson Wang Party
If you know, you know. This was such a meta moment that I did feel like I’d briefly left my body for a moment. Do I still hope to make it to a Jackson Wang party someday? The answer isn’t no!
Read it here.
SHOWNU X HYUNGWON Dive into THE UNSEEN: Interview
SHOWNU X HYUNGWON, photo courtesy of STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT
MONBEBE, get over here! I adored chatting with these two about one of my favorite K-pop projects of 2023.
Read it here.
TWICE Are the Perfect Girl Group to Headline Lollapalooza
I was so excited to see how many people agreed with my thesis here. Talk about “the feels.”
Read it here.
The K-Popification of Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar, photo via Getty Images/Illustration by Allison Aubrey
Last but certainly not least, perhaps the most unhinged thing I ever wrote for this column. And I stand by it!
Read it here.
Song Rec of the Week:
It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t end things by circling back to BTS. As we get closer to their homecoming, I’ll leave you with this song that remains great to this day.
