Taylor Swift's concert film 'The Eras Tour' was screened on November 19 at I'Park CGV in Yongsan, where a massive sing-along resonated for three hours. The 'sing-along' theater, where singing and cheering were allowed, was no less than a party prepared for Swifties (Taylor Swift's fandom) in Korea. Although Taylor Swift did not visit Korea in person, the interaction between the audience and the artist was evident.
Fans distributed glow sticks they prepared themselves to theater-goers. When quiet songs created during the pandemic played, mobile phone flashlights lit up from all around. Conversely, when upbeat songs like 'Shake It Off' and 'You Belong With Me' played, fans abandoned their seats to dance. Taylor Swift, an unrivaled pop star of the 21st century, created a scene in cinemas like never before.
'The Eras Tour' film captures the live performance of the tour that started in March this year at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, which can accommodate 70,000 people. This ongoing tour has already generated billions of dollars in economic impact, becoming a cultural phenomenon. The regional economies of cities Taylor Swift visits during the tour have been revitalized, giving rise to the term 'Swiftomics'.
Released on October 12 (November 3 in Korea), this movie recorded two consecutive weeks at number one on the North American box office, grossing over $200 million worldwide so far. These figures surpass the Marvel movie 'The Marvels' released in early November and could potentially exceed the record of the highest-grossing concert film in history, Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' (2009), which earned $262.5 million. Despite being exclusively and limitedly screened in CGV theaters in Korea, it attracted nearly 30,000 viewers.
"My name is Taylor, I was born in 1989." - This line kicks off Taylor Swift's world tour 'The Eras Tour.' Swift defined this concert as a performance summarizing her 17-year career. The 17 years of her career, nine 'Eras' manifested in the production, a luxurious feast of LEDs from ceiling to floor, and Sam Wrench's direction that brilliantly conveyed the atmosphere on-site. However, what was more impressive was Taylor's beautiful and strong voice, performing over forty songs in three hours, effortlessly dominating the 70,000-capacity LA SoFi Stadium.
It reminds me of the first time I became aware of Taylor Swift. During my growing interest in Anglo-American pop, I saw her perform 'You Belong With Me' on a car in a red dress at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. I couldn't imagine then that this girl would become a symbol of pop itself. However, Taylor Swift became great because she didn't stay in that era.
Emerging as a princess of country, she boldly broke the fixed notions of the music industry and reinvented herself. She embraced 80s synth-pop and grew bigger. Collaborating with Aaron Dessner of The National, her album 'Folklore,' infused with indie sensibilities, comforted music fans suffering during the pandemic.
She also matured as a human being, giving her best in love and documenting her growing strength with every moment. In 'Reputation,' she faced the world as a warrior against the mockery of being called a 'snake.' She raised her voice for sexual assault victims and indie musicians not getting their due from global platforms. No one has ever walked the path she has.
If you don't have time to revisit Taylor Swift's eventful history, the 'The Eras Tour' movie is a great option. These three hours encapsulate a diligent 17 years, presenting the boldest moments of contemporary pop and a stage that itself becomes a dream.
