K-pop Fans Harness Global Phenomenon for Climate Action at UN Talks
Image Source: Internet
In a groundbreaking moment at the United Nations climate talks in Belem, Brazil, fans of K-pop have taken center stage to demand climate action from their governments. The passionate and dedicated fanbase, known for their intensity and loyalty, has been mobilized to push for change. At the COP30 talks, costumed protests and banners reading 'Export K-pop, not fossil fuels' made a bold statement against fossil fuel funding. High-ranking South Korean officials attended panels to strategize on how to tap into the K-pop fanbase's power. K-pop fans have a proven track record of using their collective energy to drive social change. They have supported the U.S. Black Lives Matter movement, protested a deal between Hyundai and an Indonesian coal plant, and even rallied against the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in South Korea. South Korea's Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, Kim Seong-hwan, has pledged to support K-pop fans and their artists in their efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Seokhwan Jeong, who organized the protest, called on the government to end its support for foreign fossil fuel development, saying 'It is time for the country to stop hiding and become a genuine climate champion.' Experts believe that the K-pop fanbase is a force to be reckoned with, thanks to its size and intense loyalty. Gyu Tag Lee, a professor at George Mason University Korea, said that fans' interest in social issues is partially due to direct actions from some bands, including Blackpink. The K-pop activism aligns with the Brazilian concept of 'mutirão' – a spirit of collective effort – that is being used as a rallying cry at COP30. More than 80 countries have voiced support for this call, which environmentalists believe could be the turning point of the talks. As Vinicius Gurtler, general coordinator for international affairs in Brazil's Ministry of Culture, said, 'One of the best ways for us to do this is through music and through the youth. I don’t think that we will create a better planet if we cannot sing and if we cannot imagine a better world.'
