Straying into K-Pop…and I think I’ll STAY forever.

Though I’ve long had Ninja Mochi dessert bar on my radar, I’ve never had an excuse to stop by–until now. Today, the shop is hosting a “Katseye cup sleeve” event, where a special sleeve featuring the popular girl group comes with a purchased beverage. 

The smell of fresh donuts tempts me before I’m even at the door. But I’m not here just for a Katseye cup sleeve and a sweet treat; I’m on the hunt for some other K-Pop merch, and honestly, I can’t believe I’m saying that. Local vendors are lined up tightly along Ninja Mochi’s walls, a tiny space for an anticipated bustling event. Already from the counter, I’m distracted by one table, in particular, displaying familiar idols’ faces from bands like BTS and Ateez. That’s the one that will have the jackpot, I just know it.

“Want to try some mochi donuts?” The cashier redirects my wandering gaze to the acrylic food display at the counter, where uniform rings made up of connected dough balls are calling my name. From plain glazed to creme brûlée, the assortment is overwhelming to choose from.

“Strawberry! I want this one!” my older son exclaims, pointing at a frosted donut with sprinkles and a stick of Pocky on top. My younger son bounces on his heels, pointing to a cinnamon sugar “churro” donut.

While the cashier boxes up the boys’ picks, I decide to try the honeydew donut, complete with green frosting, along with a Thai tea boba drink. 

“Excuse me,” my son asks the cashier. “Are any of these Stray Kids?” 

We all glance at the wall where dozens of cup sleeves from past events are hanging. I’d been trying to play it cool here, just fronting as a casual customer who happened to visit during the event today. But of course, my son loves Stray Kids too now, thanks to me, and he’s just as excited to be here.

The cashier smiles and points to one of the most recent sleeves featuring Felix and Han from the Korean boy band that somehow, in only three months, has completely wrapped my heart, mind, and wallet around their manicured fingers.

Blushing, I pay for our donuts and herd the boys over to an empty table. 

Before coming here, I was mostly worried about looking like an outsider. I’ve never been a big K-Pop fan aside from the occasional BTS bop, and this brand new world of fandoms, animal mascots, and light sticks continues to confuse me with unwritten rules everyone seems to know but me. 

But by the end of our visit, I realized belonging wasn’t the point; it was about giving myself permission to love out loud without the fear of judgment. I came away with confidence, some new friendly acquaintances, and an air freshener featuring Hyunjin and Felix of Stray Kids. 

The Felix Effect: 

Star-Struck by Stray Kids

So, how did I end up in this position in the first place? Like many other folks this year, my Instagram algorithms were overwhelmed by K-Pop Demon Hunters content after I watched the film with a friend. As the algorithm game plays, one thing led to another, and at some point a Korean pop group called Stray Kids popped up in my feed. 

What stopped the scroll for me? A clip of Felix Yongbok Lee, a man whose ethereal beauty commanded my undivided attention. His slim figure, doe eyes and radiant confidence earned my immediate adoration, while in stark contrast, Felix’s remarkably deep voice struck me like lightning. 

What made this group any different than other K-Pop groups? My best friend has spent years trying to lure me into the BTS Army fandom, and while I have always appreciated the group for their excellent stage presence, they weren’t who I wanted to listen to during my car commutes. 

However, Stray Kids feels just a bit more edgy to me. Their music can be unpredictable, with powerful verses leading into softer pre-choruses, all before packing the punch of their chorus right in our faces. Pair this with their electrifying live performances, and BAM! Suddenly we’re all in STAYville, learning about “bias lines,” “fan service,” and “comebacks” even though they never went anywhere in the first place. What?

K-Pop might look like glitter, choreography, and pretty boys from the outside. But once you step in, you discover the magic of connection and creativity that brings the fandoms together. 

The Community I’ve Been Looking For: 

The STAY Fandom Knows No Judgment

Sometimes the Internet can be a scary place. Without filters, people seem to think they can comment anything on their mind, no matter how rude or insensitive. As a newcomer to K-Pop, I hesitated to engage with posts about Stray Kids for a long while out of fear of judgment or being called a newb.

I tested the waters a bit, dropping comments and questions on others’ posts. I was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. Apparently, fans like me are called “Baby STAYs” (someone who has been a fan for less than a year), and the fandom embraces us into their circle without hesitation. 

Even in person at the donut shop, the vendors were ecstatic to welcome me into their fandom, sharing stories about their concert trips and showing off their personal merch. They even included my son into the conversation, treating him as an equal fan rather than my miniature shadow. 

It made me realize how rare that kind of welcome is. If you love the music, you simply…belong. 

K-Pop might not be everyone’s thing, but I think everyone searches to be part of something bigger in one way or another. Okay, and maybe a little eye candy, I’ll admit. 

 I found even more than expected in that donut shop full of strangers. I may have felt like an outsider, but I think I left with my official citizenship to the STAY fandom. 

Want to join us in STAYville? Check out Stray Kids’ latest album KARMA. We’ll see you in the comments!

Read this next: