How K-Pop's Homemade Shows Became the Heartbeat of Fandoms
The Secret Sauce Behind K-Pop's Global Fandom
If you're a K-pop fan-or even just K-pop curious-you've probably heard the word "Jakon" floating around. What's the big deal? In the world of Korean pop, "Jakon" (short for "Jache Jaegak Content," meaning self-produced content) is the magic ingredient that lets fans peek behind the stage lights and see their idols as real, goofy, relatable humans.
Jakon started as a clever workaround. For groups like BTS, who didn't have easy access to mainstream TV shows when they debuted, making their own web variety show was a game-changer. "Run BTS" (Dalryeora Bangtan), which kicked off in August 2015, wasn't just about games and challenges-it was about showing Jin burning his toast, Jimin tripping over his own feet, and RM losing at literally every game. Suddenly, international fans didn't need to wait for a subtitled interview or a rare TV appearance.
They could just hit play and join the chaos every week.
And it worked. BTS built a global ARMY, not just with their music, but with their personalities-no fancy overseas promo tour required. Even Hollywood star Tom Cruise wanted in, asking to guest-star on "Run BTS" after meeting Jin. That's the power of Jakon: it turns fans into family.
From "Run BTS" to "Going Seventeen"-The Jakon Revolution
After BTS paved the way, every K-pop group wanted their own Jakon.
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Seventeen's "Going Seventeen" is now legendary among fans, often called the "textbook" for idol self-content. Thirteen members, endless chaos-murder mysteries, horror specials, improv comedy, and more. It's the kind of show where you might see a member dressed as a ghost one week and solving puzzles the next. The best part? The group plans and scripts much of it themselves, so it feels like you're hanging out with friends, not watching a polished PR stunt.
Stray Kids' "SKZ Code" and Le Sserafim's "Leniverse" followed suit, each adding their own flavor. Whether it's Anton's swimming lessons or Eunseok and Wonbin's kimchi fried rice showdown, these shows are less about perfect choreography and more about showing off quirks and realness. Fans love it-many say they officially became fans ("ipdeok") after bingeing these series.
Why Homemade Content Matters More Than Ever
Jakon isn't just bonus material-it's a lifeline.
When idols are away for military service or on long world tours, agencies pre-film episodes to keep fans engaged. It's also a way for groups to stay present in fans' lives even when the stage lights are off. For example, BTS's Jimin dominated global charts with his solo album "Who" during his "military hiatus," thanks in part to carefully timed Jakon releases.
The production value has skyrocketed, too. Some Jakon episodes are so good, they get picked up by TV networks like Mnet or JTBC. But at the core, it's still about connection. As music critic Kim Yoon-mi puts it, Jakon has grown into content that idols and fans create together, making the bond stronger than ever.
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