Shifting Street Trends: Ita-bags and Plush Charms Everywhere

Have you noticed this lately on the streets? Ita-bags, neon-colored charms, and rows of plushies dangling from bag zippers — and it’s not just students anymore. Office workers, fashion-forward crowds, everyone seems to be in on the craze. Some carry Sanrio, others Labubu; for many fans, though, it’s all about their idols’ mascots or exclusive merch.

Live Concerts: Where Ita-bags Tell a Story

Step into a concert or a collectible toy fair, and you’ll be hit by the sight: fans fully armed with clear ita-bags, stuffed with idol photo cards and limited-edition plushies. For them, these aren’t just decorations — they’re a ritual of companionship and a declaration: “I’m bringing you with me. You’re right here by my side.”

From Photo Cards to Plushies: The Rise in Collectible Value

K-pop albums are famous for their “random photo card” system, turning these tiny cards into prized possessions. Depending on the version or store exclusivity, one card can range anywhere from NT$80 to NT$3,000. Losing one isn’t just about money — it’s like losing a piece of memory.

This collecting craze has spilled over into plush toys too. What used to be cheap trinkets is now upgraded to limited-edition collaborations — like the Seventeen × Sacai × Labubu blind box figures. They’re so valuable fans hesitate to bring them outside, yet trends practically demand display: “If I don’t show it off, did I even join the party?”

The Evolution of Stan Culture Among Gen Z

Fan culture isn’t new, but the changes in the past two decades are striking. Since the mid-2000s, the rise of the internet and social media has taken fandom out of bedrooms and into public spaces. Gen Z fans especially love sharing — posting ita-bag shots on Instagram, photo card hauls on Twitter, or swapping collections in Facebook groups. Fandom has become more open, more creative, more communal.

In Japan, this phenomenon is known as ‘Oshikatsu’ — the culture of fans continuously performing various acts of support for their idols. It can generally be divided into three types:

• Support: Buying albums, attending concerts, waving light sticks, streaming charts to show love.
• Nurture: Collecting and treasuring every milestone, where each photo card marks a moment shared.
• Expand: Blending fandom into daily life — ita-bags, carabiner charms, and IP crossover merch are prime examples.

As display becomes central to fan expression, safety concerns emerge. These collectibles are not just financial investments; they’re emotional ones.

From Carabiners to “Love Locks”: Merch That Speaks to Fans’ Hearts

Idol merch has grown increasingly creative, shifting from “just cute” to “emotionally thoughtful.”

Carabiners: Once purely outdoor gear, now redesigned by agencies to clip photo cards and charms — perfect for carrying your idol everywhere.
   

(Image source: Weverse)

Love Padlocks: Some K-pop agencies even released customizable combination locks, where fans can set codes using their idol’s initials or symbols — adding a personal emotional layer to security.

(Image source: Weverse)

Seventeen × Sacai × Labubu: The Crossover Collectible Peak

One of this year’s most talked-about collaborations — Seventeen with Sacai, Labubu, and Carhartt WIP — turned a blind box into the ultimate collectible. It’s more than just idol merch; it’s a fusion of four cultural icons, blending hype value and exclusivity. The thrill of “pulling” a rare figure only heightens its desirability.

Yet because of their skyrocketing value, fans hesitate to leave these in display cases — flaunting them on bags has become the norm. And with that, the risk rises: losing one or having it stolen isn’t just financial pain — it’s heartbreak.

(Image source: Joopiter)

Display vs. Protection: The Anxiety Behind the Trend

For today’s fans, bringing collectibles out for display has replaced keeping them locked away in drawers. Social media fuels this shift — but it also sparks new anxieties: “What if I lose it?” “What if someone steals it?”

Ita-bags may prevent scratches or dirt, but rarely address theft or accidental drops. Carabiners are handy but can fail if cheaply made. This gap reveals an overlooked need: fan-focused safety accessories. Could there be a design that balances display-worthy aesthetics with real security? Adding lock mechanisms might be the next frontier for idol and collectible merch.

The Next Step for Collectibles: A Sense of Security

From photo cards to designer collabs, from simple trinkets to limited-edition charms, fan collections are evolving faster than ever. As “taking your idol or favorite IP everywhere” becomes the norm, maybe it’s time we think beyond aesthetics: collectibles should be beautiful — and safe.

Next time you head to a concert and see a sea of ita-bags and dangling charms, you might find yourself wondering: Aren’t these memories worth protecting just a little more?