Backstreet Boys’ sauna photos spark wave of memes in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz – American pop group Backstreet Boys, who recently performed in Almaty and Astana, shared a series of sauna photos on Instagram, drawing lively reactions and a flood of memes from Kazakhstani fans.

The post quickly went viral, collecting over 80,000 likes and thousands of comments.

"Found time to relax and recharge between concerts in Kazakhstan," the caption read.

The images of the band members enjoying a traditional Kazakh sauna experience inspired jokes across social media.

"Only in Kazakhstan could they be dressed, undressed, worked hard, and fed all at once," one user wrote. Another added: "In Almaty they dressed Kevin, in Astana they undressed the rest. We’ve seen it all now."

Concert organizer Malik Khasenov explained that it was the group’s first experience of this kind.

"The guys were thrilled – it was their first time in a banya, first time with a venik steam and plunging into an ice bath. They were overflowing with emotions," he said.

Fans around the world joined in the banter:

"25 years of waiting, and all it took was a Kazakh sauna," one joked. Others thanked Kazakhstan for the "exclusive content."

Comments also highlighted the group’s down-to-earth attitude and appearance. "They accept everything with no arrogance. Wonderful guys," one fan wrote. Others marveled at their looks: "Even in the sauna, they look amazing. I don’t even glance at the mirror there," another joked.

Earlier, the band’s leisure program in Kazakhstan also made headlines, from tree planting to learning the dombra. The concerts themselves drew thousands of fans, with organizers reporting that 12,000 tourists from 45 countries came to Astana alone.

According to preliminary estimates, the Backstreet Boys’ performances generated a multiplier effect of about 7.8 billion tenge for Kazakhstan’s economy.