Black Ocean
| Synonyms: | |
| See also: | anti-fan |
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Black Ocean is a term used in kpop fan communities to describe instances where audience members turn off their lightsticks and electronic devices to show a lack of support for a performer or group of performers. Black Oceans have often occurred in shows where multiple acts are performing, with groups of one act shutting off their lightsticks when another takes the stage. However, phenomenon can also occur in other cases where fans express anger at one or more members.[1]
Fans typically refrain from cheering as well during black oceans.[2]
Black Oceans are viewed negatively by fans as these instances are seen as disrespectful. This type of visible public backlash can also be harmful to artists' morale and mental health.[1] [2]
History
Lightsticks are used by kpop fans during concerts to show their support for the artists performing. Most groups have their own custom lightsticks, often in a group's representative color. Bluetooth technology also can be used to sync the lightsticks together allowing concert technicians to create a lightshow among the audience.
The first Black Ocean is sometimes purported to have happened at the 2008 Dream Concert to then-rookie girl group Girls Generation, aka SNSD. The Black Ocean lasted for ten minutes.[3] [2] Even years later, this is still arguably one of the most infamous instances of the Black Ocean. For more information see: Girls' Generation#Black Ocean.
Other groups faced with Black Oceans have included Seventeen (at the 2015 MAMA Awards, reason is unclear and may have been a side effect of the group not yet having an official lightstick[4]), T-ara (on several ocassions during the band's bullying scandal), Lovelyz (in 2015, once again may have been a result of the lack of an official lightstick), and more.[2]
Influence
Author Christine Ma-Kellams was inspired by black oceans when writing her novel The Band. [3] [5]
Commentary
References
- ^ a b https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/does-black-ocean-mean-k-070501510.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFzD6l4_I1jH2cVw58rsJuJixlWdl4gzlAhJRtPermwSKbqFUEL5aucKDnVnkFkDiq2XU3UVPCEiu59lmT2EtTZnvFfAHFKKlwelMdiriuMFYknW1w-KtqKJxkB9VwePnbK7ONXeZ-rbafqhXAYP31lz8g3nzCUJ7CicNSeOQFIa
- ^ a b c d https://cutefrogcreations.com/kpop-black-ocean/
- ^ a b https://strandmag.com/the-dark-side-of-fame-or-how-kpops-dreaded-black-ocean-inspired-the-plot-of-the-band/
- ^ https://www.koreaboo.com/news/seventeens-stage-terrorized-by-other-fans-as-they-all-turn-off-their-light-sticks/
- ^ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442776-the-band