[!] Stan LOONA:
How the K-pop Rookies Are Striving To Become The ‘Ultimate Girl Group’ - MTV.
By Taylor Glasby.
“[…] Orbits have developed their own omnipresent online signature, the phrase “Stan Loona”, which has earned itself an entry on Urban Dictionary — “A popular phrase used by twitter gays under every popular tweet encouraging readers to stan Korean girl group LOONA” — cementing the group in modern pop culture. LOONA themselves regularly check the tag. “We are very much aware of it,” says Olivia. “We look up all the videos, covers, and memes on Twitter and Instagram. They’re so interesting and fun!“ smiles ViVi. Adds Olivia, “When we see international fans write ‘Stan Loona,’ it gives us a lot of strength. If our fans keep promoting us like that we’ll return that kindness by working harder and getting stronger.”
As Urban Dictionary so bluntly points out, a large number of Orbits identify as LGBTQ+. But for all the same-sex fan service (usually intimate body contact) and shipping by fandoms, K-pop, and South Korea, have never been positive, safe places for LGBTQ+ people. In a quiet countermove, some artists appear wearing charity or supportive merch, such as ribbons or pins. Still, queerness in K-pop is very much a case of don’t ask, don’t tell.
So it’s hard to adequately describe the shock as Yves immediately says, “I think I should answer this,” when asked why LOONA are so beloved by those identifying as LGBTQ+. “I heard the LGBTQ+ community was really interested in the continued worlds of ‘New’ [her solo single] and Chuu’s solo, ‘Heart Attack,’” she says, referencing the videos’ story lines, which have been interpreted by fans to portray same-sex attraction. “When the song was being written and the video filmed, we didn’t see it like that. For us, it was a story about yearning, but we were also thankful when it was translated that way. You may have realized it during 'Butterfly’, but we want to go beyond gender, race, and nationality,“ Yves adds.
Released in late February, the widely celebrated “Butterfly” (from x x, the repackaged version of their debut EP + +), with its driving punch of a chorus and dream-pop vocals, is multifarious. It’s a show of female strength and determination. "Butterfly means so much,” exclaims Chuu. “Especially the part where the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, I thought it really overlapped with us. It’s not just our members but that the fans that listen to LOONA as well — we can all identify as one. You know how there are obstacles for everyone’s hopes and dreams? I hope we can all picture overcoming it and flying upwards.”
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