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

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K-pop fans have previously made headlines for supporting social justice efforts – and have done so again by donating money in support of the pro-democracy protests in Thailand. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:15pm, 22 Oct 2020Updated: 9:33pm, 25 Nov 2020

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.

Actor-activist Intira “Sai” Charoenpura posted on Twitter that the funds raised from fans of groups including BTS, Exo, Got7, and Girls’ Generation had helped buy equipment such as helmets and raincoats.

Some protesters have turned the Girls’ Generation song Into The New World into a soundtrack for the movement. The 2007 debut single by the influential girl group has a history of being sung at South Korean pro-democracy protests as an expression of hope for a brighter future.

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