K-Pop Music To Political Messaging: The Remarkable Impact
Blog posted by Fathima Mohammadi
As the White House begins to initiate more policies in order to protect Asian Americans, a popular K-pop boy band by the name Bangtan Boys or BTS, announced a statement published in Korean and English - referring to discriminatory experiences that made them feel “powerless” says a BBC news journalist. The English/Korean statements were posted on Twitter, and liked by more than 2,000,000 users across the globe. In short, BTS stated that they stand against racial discrimination and that everyone has the right to be respected.
History may be repeating itself as the 81st anniversary of the signing of Executive order 9066 occurred this past February. President Joe Biden reflected on a Day of Remembrance of Japanese American incarceration by issuing a statement regarding the past Executive Order 9066, which caused the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. But what was Executive Order 9066? What difference did it make?
When past President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 81 years ago today, it ushered in one of the most shameful periods in American history. According to Maui News 110,000 Americans of Japanese descent died in concentration camps during World War II simply because of their heritage. The wrongful incarceration of the Japanese Americans tore families apart. Men, women, and even children were forced to abandon their homes, their jobs, their communities, their businesses, and their way of life. And in a tragic miscarriage of justice, the Supreme Court upheld these immoral and unconstitutional policies.
Despite Japanese Americans losing liberty, security, and the fundamental freedoms that rightfully belonged to them, 33,000 Japanese Americans provided service in the U.S. military during World War II.
“While their families were behind the barbed wires, Japanese American soldiers fought in defense of the nation’s freedom with valor and courage no matter what.”
- President Joe Biden
The incarceration of Japanese Americans reminds us what happens when racism, fear, and xenophobia; the fear of strangers, go unchecked. President Joe Biden states that the U.S. reaffirms the Federal Government’s formal apology to Japanese Americans for the suffering inflicted by these past policies and that they commit to not let it happen again. Thus there became The White House Initiative in February of 2023 on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), established by President Joe Biden through a new Executive Order 14031, which is charged with coordinating a whole-of-government agenda to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities.
As the White House begins to initiate more policies in order to protect Asian Americans, a popular K-pop boy band by the name Bangtan Boys or BTS, announced a statement published in Korean and English - referring to discriminatory experiences that made them feel “powerless” says a BBC news journalist. The English/Korean statements were posted on Twitter, and liked by more than 2,000,000 users across the globe. In short, BTS stated that they stand against racial discrimination and that everyone has the right to be respected. They also stated their opinions on the recent spike in the deliberate targeting of Asian populations as a response to an event that took place in Atlanta with multiple deadly mass shootings in Asian-owned spas. Four of the eight victims were of Korean descent. Earlier examples include multiple cases throughout 2020 through representatives of the U.S. government blaming China for the coronavirus pandemic. But why does this occur? More importantly, what is being implemented to protect the rights of these Asian American citizens?
“What is happening right now cannot be dissociated from our identity as Asians. It requires considerable time for us to discuss this carefully and we contemplated deeply on how we should voice our message.
But what our voice must convey is clear.
We stand against racial discrimination.
We condemn violence.
You, I, and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.”
- Bangtan Boys (BTS)
Despite these recent hardships, BTS exemplifies the importance of standing up for what is right, together. And as the most popular boy band group in the world, what they say creates an impact to the future generations of possible policymakers, government officials, and adult citizens. BTS recently joined the White House press briefing on Tuesday, May 31 2022, to mark the end of AAPI Heritage month. NBC New York had uploaded the video onto YouTube a few months after the live speech in the White House. Nearly 300,000 fans streamed it, and hundreds gathered outside the building and inside the packed briefing room.
It is important to note that BTS has a major fan base spread across the globe. This means that those fans are from different nationalities and cultures, and use different languages. It is also known that pop icons have always operated as transmitters of relatability and reach for pressing political issues. As Fox’s Tucker Carlson remarked, “Yeah, we got a Korean pop group to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States. Tell me, is there anything more destructive than white liberal guilt? It feels like it has hurt more people than nuclear weapons.” The reality is that BTS’ appearance is a global influence.
The relationship between an idol and the fan is a two-way street. The fans devote their attention to their idols, picking biases and ultimates. While this dedication might seem odd, the support of the artist by their fans is the key part of the equation that makes the entire system work. In other words, artists like these, who care about the wellbeing of the fans, try to uplift them and provide a positive influence. Interactions between the fan and the idol typically result in the idol asking if the fan has eaten and so the artist requests that the fans stay healthy. Through this type of relationship the idol recognizes that their existence depends on the fan and so the fans then depend on the idol.
So, if the gains of K-Pop culture in America continues to translate to political influence, would it really be an unfortunate instance?