K-pop fans turn their collective focus on the protests in Thailand, raising money and awareness about the movement
- Thai fans of K-pop groups have made donations in support of the Thai pro-democracy protests – one newspaper reported that nearly US$100,000 had been raised
- This summer, K-pop fans made headlines for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and for using social media to drown out the voices of white supremacists
The pro-democracy protests in Thailand have seen an outpouring of support from K-pop fans inside the country and around the world, with the fans raising both funds and awareness about the movement.
Thai fan communities of various K-pop groups have rallied together to pool donations in support of the protesters, who are demanding changes including the resignation of premier Prayuth Chan-ocha – a former military chief brought to power in a 2014 coup – reforms to the powerful monarchy and a new constitution.
Thai daily newspaper Khaosod reported on October 19 that numerous K-pop fan groups had collectively raised more than 3 million baht (US$96,000) to help those organising the protests.
While K-pop fans have a long history of donating to charitable causes and social justice efforts, this year has seen an uptick in political activism by K-pop fans, who have used their communities to bolster causes close to their hearts.
“Violence cannot resolve any problems,” BamBam tweeted on October 17. “Do not use violence against the public. Being open to hearing and respecting individual rights and freedoms are the starting points for a solution. Please everyone take care of yourselves.”
While K-pop fans and stars may be coming out in support of the pro-democracy protesters, South Korea’s impact on the cause isn’t entirely positive.
Joseph Kim, a Seoul-based correspondent for Reuters, tweeted on October 20 that sources had said the water cannon trucks being used against Thai protesters had come from South Korea, the latest in what he says is known as the “K-cop wave” – an obviously wry take on the export of South Korean pop culture globally, nicknamed the Korean wave or hallyu.
Beyond direct donations, some K-pop fans are refusing to support institutions seen as opposing the pro-democracy movement. One major field some Thai K-pop fans are considering divesting from is advertising.
K-pop fans often buy advertising space in public spaces and on transport systems across the world to support artists or celebrate occasions such as album releases or a star’s birthday. But now, some fans are rethinking where they spend money on placing adverts.
The Twitter account BTS Thailand on October 17 suggested that BTS’ fans, known as Army, and other K-pop fans should reconsider advertising on billboards displayed throughout the Bangkok Mass Transit System, known as the BTS, and the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) systems, “as these two organisations have been involved in making it difficult for protesters and the general public”.
All the stations of Bangkok’s elevated BTS were closed last Saturday in an attempt to thwart the protesters, while one line of the underground MRT was also shut.