Stray Kids Concerts at San Francisco and Busan Port Festivals Highlight Fans’ Passionate Support Culture

K-pop boy band Stray Kids held concerts in San Francisco, USA, and Busan, South Korea, during which fans’ dedicated support culture stood out prominently. Due to the limited tour schedule of Stray Kids, who have a global fanbase, fans waited for hours to secure the best viewing spots. The concert held at Oracle Park in San Francisco on May 28 started at 7:30 p.m., but fans arrived early in the morning to wait outside. One fan, Kaylee Thompson, 23, wore a red faux fur coat that reached the floor and arrived at 7 a.m., while Ridge McGill, 25, wore a cowboy hat and flew in from Arizona, arriving the night before. Jessica Mares, 20, donned fluffy white boots and a white corset with dolls tied around her waist, setting out on the road early from Oakland. Mares even reserved a parking spot nearby two months in advance. Fans passed the long waiting times by engaging in “trinket trading,” a tradition at K-pop concerts. They exchanged keychains, bracelets, and Stray Kids trading cards. Caebre Blake and Brianna Snyder from Utah distributed 200 handmade earrings just minutes after arriving at 10 a.m. Snyder shed tears while explaining what Stray Kids mean to her. “They helped me find a way to express myself,” she said. Blake added, “Unlike many celebrities, this group is highly involved with its fandom.” Shopping at stores before entering the venue was also popular. Bar Vía, located across from the stadium, transformed into a pop-up K-pop store for the event, selling posters, magazines, and trading cards. Nearby restaurants also experienced a surge in business, with one barista noting, “It’s usually very quiet, but it’s extremely busy today.” According to observations by San Francisco Standard reporters, fans’ costumes drew as much attention as the concerts themselves. “This is rightfully a fashion show,” Thompson explained, with several fans agreeing that “girls really go all out with their outfits.” Fans arrived between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., wandered around the city from noon to 2 p.m., and some tried to peek at the stage through stadium windows. Meanwhile, events linked to the Busan Port Festival were also held. The 18th Busan Port Festival, held from May 30 to 31 at the outdoor parking lot of the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal, Bukhang Waterfront Park, and the Yeongdo National Marine Museum area, included various K-pop-related programs. At the K-pop concert on May 30 at 7 p.m., SUPER JUNIOR-D&E, CNBLUE, N.Flying, ITZY, Kyungseo, Dori, and Jozez performed, followed by a Busan Port fireworks display that lasted about 7 minutes starting at 9:30 p.m. On May 31, busking performances featuring K-pop cover dances and classic jazz by artists from around the world took place at Bukhang Waterfront Park. The enthusiastic support shown by Stray Kids’ fans demonstrates how K-pop is expanding its influence globally, including in the San Francisco area. Fans find meaning not only in the musical inspiration but also in the members’ dedication to their music and their approach to connecting with fans, indicating that this experience goes beyond simply attending a concert and becomes a communal experience.