OSHKOSH ― The city’s first K-Pop store, Idol Haus, is set to open for business from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 27 at 2100 W. Ninth Ave. with a grand opening raffle.
Idol Hause owner June Vang confirmed the news in an email to the Northwestern ahead of the store’s opening day celebrations, which will also feature special giveaways of K-Pop albums, blind boxes and smaller prizes.
“As a millennial, K-pop has been part of me since the early 2000s, and I’ve always enjoyed visiting larger cities to explore their Asian pop culture stores,” Vang told the Northwestern.
“I wanted to bring that same excitement to Oshkosh by creating a welcoming space where local K-pop fans can connect while also introducing more of the community to Asian pop culture.”
What is K-Pop?
An abbreviation for Korean popular music, K-Pop refers to a genre of music that originates in South Korea that often blends other genres such as hip-hop, R&B, EDM, rock and Latin into one sound.
The music has spawned a global cultural phenomenon characterized by girl and boy bands, highly visualized music videos, fashion, books and other memorabilia.
What K-Pop elements are being sold at Idol Haus?
According to Vang, the store will carry K-Pop albums, keychains, plushies and light sticks.
Idol Haus will also offer non-K-Pop inventory such as blind boxes, anime collectables and imported snacks.
“Right now, many fans currently have to travel to larger cities or shop online to find the products they want [so] my goal is to provide a local destination where they can discover new merchandise, connect with other fans and celebrate their shared interests,” Vang said.
What are the special giveaways?
Three winners will get a chance to win either an album or blind box of their choice after making a purchase and filling out a raffle ticket during the grand opening event.
Patrons will receive a free photocard with the purchase of an album while all paying customers will get the chance to spin a wheel for additional small prizes.
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh’s first K-Pop store Idol Haus to open June 27
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern | USA TODAY Network
