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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#201: K-popular

South Korean girl group Blackpink recently made history by becoming the first Asian act to headline Coachella, performing in front of over 125,000 people (and millions more tuning in via live stream). This isn’t the first “Korean Wave” (or Hallyu) to reach foreign shores; before Blackpink and BTS there was PSY with “Gangnam Style” and groups like BIGBANG and SHINee, to name just a few. Now we’re on to a 4th generation of idols taking over social media with dance challenges and catchy tunes.

K-pop is a fascinating universe with some of the most dedicated (and at times overbearing) fans in the world. Like all things, it comes with the good and the bad. Behind the uplifting messages, the discipline, and the talent also lies a high-pressure industry, one which has sparked debates about artist exploitation and the price people are willing to pay for fame. This week's prompts are inspired by K-pop, its fans, and the dizzying highs and lows of megastardom.

This week's prompts

Set your story at a large entertainment venue, after the show has ended, amongst the discarded plastic cups and confetti.

Adults – 53 stories

Write a story from the point of view of a “sasaeng” (an obsessive fan).

Character – 34 stories

Write a story about someone who has put “Blood Sweat & Tears” into getting where they are — only to question whether it was worth it.

Angst – 47 stories

Write a story inspired by SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong”, where someone can’t get a song out of their head no matter how hard they try.

Funny – 16 stories

Write about someone who has always done something as part of a group, and is now starting to set out solo, or vice versa.

Character – 20 stories

Stories

“Serial Sasaeng” by Sophia Wilkins

Submitted to Contest #201

April 4, 2023 I’ve been accused of being a lot of things: creepy, obsessive, a stalker. So when it comes to my love for Han, a member of an underground idol group called ASR, of course, people say I’m a “sasaeng”. I feel so misunderstood. I prefer to call myself an intense romantic. My feelings for Han are real, and I didn’t just see him and fall in love with his looks. It’s the contrast between his cute face and athletic body, his perfectionist personality, the way he jokes around like a child, and not to mention he’s exceptionally talented...

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“Growing Pains” by Sophie Lyerly

Submitted to Contest #201

Ever since I was homeschooled, my father wanted me to try out public school for high school. Well, the year has finally come, and I’m going to public school for the very first time. Ever. I can’t say I’m not terrified. I’m weird, like, super weird. I’m the girl that listens to those “Pretty Chinese boys” and spends money on their merch only to not wear it because of bullies. But I was forced to be the black sheep at the school regardless of my pained cries. School was difficult. I had the pressure of my parents wanting me to get good...

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“The measure of opportunities” by Paul Costa Gavin

Submitted to Contest #201

Write a story about someone who has put “Blood Sweat & Tears” into getting where they are — only to question whether it was worth it. The measure of opportunities This is the story of Paul Costa Gavin, an American-Brazilian writer, considered excellent among critics, literary theorists, and university professors in Rio de Janeiro, but who remained almost obscure to the general public for several decades because he was unable to transmit the values of a new culture to...

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“Beat and Sorrow” by Pryor Rose

Submitted to Contest #201

The sound of screams echoed around the arena drowning out the linger of her vocals, which resonated from the speakers connected to her microphone. Even with the fullness of the surround sound she could barely hear herself think from the deafening roar of fans singing along to the lyrics she herself had written, the sounds sinking away as the song came to an end only to shift into a soft adagio of notes that began her next number.Stepping up to the microphone stand she slid the base of the mic into place wrapping her fingers about the handle ...

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“Is There Still a Woman Behind the Mask?” by Wren McBride

Submitted to Contest #201

I should have felt happy. I wanted to feel happy. My dressing room had elegant dresses hanging from all the racks, fancy scarves draped across almost every surface, and so many shoes dotted the floor that an obvious path led to my vanity mirror. Numerous tubes of lipstick sat along the surface, some of them unopened, nail polish remained in their rainbow arrangement, mascara and eyeshadow waited impatiently to be picked up. All of them were the best brands money could buy. Thousands of people were counting down my future appearance, whic...

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“Golden Years” by Meggie Lin

Submitted to Contest #201

It was December 31st, my birthday or in other words New Year’s Eve. It seems like nothing had changed in the course of ten years. I still had my crazy addiction to ice cream, I still worked for a bookstore in Adelaide. Yeah I had got a little promotion and now earnt an extra 2 dollars and 46 cents but I wasn’t where I planned to be ten years ago in 2013. I remember the day clearly. A cloudy but humid night. The night was like a blanket that covered the town and even though blackness was all that was visible to the human eye, wispy cl...

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“It Comes Back To Bite You” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #201

“Luke, medication time” the familiar voice said. “Sit up now, here you are. Hold out your hand, two tablet, here’s your water. That’s it, pop them in your mouth and drink your water down. Good man. I’ll be back later to check on you.” Luke could just make out the silhouette of Lucy leaving the room. He knew she was one of a few people who came in to his room to check on him, give him medication, and just check on his general well-being, especially when he was having a ‘down’ period. His bed was warm and cosy as he pulled the soft cover up ar...

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“Opal Wings ” by Ellie Aronica

Submitted to Contest #201

Mother On this occasion. The first Friday of the month of May. I conceived a baby girl. My baby was born into quicksand. I’ve always thought it would be relaxing. It’s very relaxing being stuck. In quicksand, in molasses, in my mind or even in yours. My baby girl will never be a bird, just like her father, and me, I never flew. Happy being stuck in your arms where it's safe. Trapped in gum, under the tide. The second my cord was cut I was thrown into the sky. “Put me back!!” I wailed to the midwife. “I'm scared, this air is c...

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“Memories From The Trainee Days” by Skott's Ghost

Submitted to Contest #201

TW: MENTIONS OF BULLYING Seungkwan anxiously paced back and forth in her dressing room, heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She reached for her phone, a trembling hand opening the video call app. With a deep breath, she tapped her father's contact and watched as his face appeared on the screen. "Dad!" Seungkwan exclaimed, a smile breaking through her apprehension. "I just finished my first live performance! Can you believe it?" Her father's eyes twinkled with pride as he leaned closer to the screen. "Seungkwan, my litt...

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“The case of the Golden Boots” by Ryan Valentine

Submitted to Contest #201

Thomas had wanted to be a detective for as long as he could remember. He’d gone to ‘the festival of clues’ nearly every year it ran (which in 1993 it didn’t because of a missing magnifying glass). Yet despite now being a full-time detective in the bureau of mishaps and odd happenings, he’d begun to find his detective work rather boring.There was that one time he’d been on the case of the missing cat, which wasn’t that bad. Then there was also the case of the 3 knives he’d help solve with his supervisor Jenny, and who could forget the mystery...

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“Silent Goodbye” by Angelina Nahorny

Submitted to Contest #201

The blood pulsating in my ears drowned out any thoughts that attempted to struggle their way to the forefront of my adrenaline-soaked brain. I vaguely remember having the sense to wrap the handle of my apartment door in a tissue as I staggered absentmindedly up the three goddamned flights of stairs I live at the top of. Due to my given state at the moment, it was the wiser option compared to the elevator. Once I had heaved my leaden body through the door, I let out the pained, choked, half-gasp, half-sob that I hadn’t realized my body had be...

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“Changed My Life Forever” by Esther Jeon

Submitted to Contest #201

Blackpink in your area! We all sang in an uproar. I was with my dance team at my local dance studio. We are a group of mostly East Asians. I've been dancing and singing with them for a few years now. I've always been a fan of K-pop as I've grown up in South Korea with my family. I soon came to California because my parents wanted a better life for me and my younger siblings, Esme and Elaine. I have always had a passion for singing and dancing. My dream was to become an idol. Of course, that's just a silly dream. I can't help but wonder...

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“The Aftermath” by Kevin Keegan

Submitted to Contest #201

Several hours had passed in the blink of an eye. The gig had been awesome, off the charts mega. Twelve encores were performed for the screaming adoring fans whose collec...

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“Let It Out” by Jennifer Glynn

Submitted to Contest #201

It’s strange how one place can transform so drastically in the space of thirty minutes. I gaze around the hall, truly seeing the venue for the empty shell it is. Gone are the thousands of sweaty bodies pressed together, their hands clawing out and faces red from the exertion of cheering. Only the echoes of their ear-shattering screams remain, the sudden silence seemingly just as deafening as I scan row upon row of empty plastic seats. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. To the blinding flashes as photographers snap away, to the searin...

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“The Rock Show” by Alexis Morales-Cowell

Submitted to Contest #201

This year I went to the blink-182 concert alone. As I stood in line to get into the Cosmopolitan, I could feel my mind wander. Last year I came with the love of my life. Our love was that old timey tale of boy loves girl until someone better comes along. I came to the blink concert alone for 2 reasons; one, I desperately needed to create my own memories. Memories that didn’t nip at my heels when I went on my Hot Girl walks specifically designated for my mental health. Two, I was hoping I would feel those tingling vibrations your body gets wh...

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$250

Prize money

170

Contest entries

94

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 09, 2023 EST

Won by Chris Miller 🏆

Title: The Bequest

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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