Interview: Anne Shea, LIGHTUPK

LIGHTUPK is Toronto's headquarters for all things K-pop.

Dedicated to serving the K-pop community, we offer one of the city's widest selections of K-pop merchandise, including albums, CDs, vinyl records, light sticks, collectibles, apparel, and exclusive merchandise. To discuss the K-pop community in Canada further, we spoke with LIGHTUPK's Chief Communications Officer, Anne Shea.

How did LIGHTUPK start?

LIGHTUPK first started in late 2021. We started selling a few albums online when we launched our official website in February of 2022. Back then, we were a very small operation. Like many record stores, our company's CEO was packing orders in his basement and sending them out. Eventually, we grew enough to open our first store in Toronto's east end and, in 2026, opened a second location on Queen Street.

LIGHTUPK isn't only in Toronto. After launching the first Toronto location, we opened two more locations: one in downtown Montreal and one in Edmonton. Edmonton still has a growing community, but there is a lot of passion there. The K-pop fan base isn't limited to one country; it's worldwide, and most cities have a K-pop club.

What draws customers toward vinyl in the K-pop community?

Fan culture is extremely dedicated and centred on collecting K-pop merch. It's a mix of clothing, CDs, and, lately, vinyl. We've seen a growing number of K-pop vinyl releases even though many K-pop fans don't own a record player. The draw of vinyl is its collectibility. There are many different types, formats, and variants to collect, and each variant can be a unique collector's item, which is why some fans collect more than one variant. Even the packaging for vinyl and CD box sets really stands out. In K-pop releases, each variant has a concept or theme and includes so much more than the typical vinyl and insert. Photo cards are one element that really draws people to collect multiple copies of the same release.

Why are trading cards meaningful to K-pop fans?

The whole world of buying K-pop albums revolves around the physical aspect; within that, the photo card is a major factor in its value. Photo cards, which are small pictures that come in albums, are collected and traded within the K-pop fan community. They could be anything from a selfie the K-pop idol took to a more photo shoot-like picture. Fans collect those of their favorite artists and groups. There's a whole trading culture tied to these cards, and they make a nice addition to a vinyl or a CD, adding a personal touch from the artist.

We have a photo wall in all our stores in Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton, where fans can trade the cards that they collect. The photo card wall is organized by group, and the rules follow those of any card-trading game. Fans can trade cards with one another, and it's a fun way to connect with the artists. It also creates a meaningful way for fans to connect with the store, which is one of the very few places in the city dedicated to K-pop.

How does LIGHTUPK create space for fans to connect outside of the merch?

We host community events to get more people into K-pop or to provide a space to celebrate it. Our events draw a huge crowd of locals and visitors from outside the city. We have a community board in our store where people can post events such as cup sleeve events to celebrate a K-pop idol's birthday or new album comebacks and release parties. Sometimes a touring artist will drop by the store for a meet-and-greet. We are very lucky to live in Toronto because, although not many K-pop concerts happen in Canada, when they do, Toronto is usually a given.

There are so many people in Toronto who really get into celebrating Korean cultural events, and we're so lucky to be part of a community that's about more than just music. Many cultural events beyond music allow people to immerse themselves in other aspects of culture. One was K-Expo at Meridian Hall beside Union Station. In August, there is a Korean festival called K-Fest, held at Mel Lastman Square right here in Toronto. Both events are a flood of everything Korean, from food and K-pop to historical and cultural elements. So, if you're not a fan of the music, there are still reasons to attend.

From what you've experienced and from what fans are interested in, why do you think K-pop has picked up so much attention in North America?

I think pop has gotten so popular because it incorporates a variety of styles and genres. You can find more Latin-sounding music or rap-influenced music. To get into K-pop, like any other non-English genre, you have to open yourself up to musical appreciation beyond the language and translations. 

It also has a huge visual aspect, which makes it really engaging. Choreography and style are a huge part of the K-pop experience. Both are elements that tap into some of the most enjoyable parts of music and live performance in Western pop culture.