K-Pop stans call for South Korea gov’t to cancel Israel event amid Gaza genocide

For well over a decade now, K-Pop, the global sensation originating from South Korea, has found a notable following among youth in the Middle East. The vibrant music, captivating performances and engaging “idols” have won over fans and even “stans” across the region, uniting them in a shared passion for Korean pop culture – which serves as a potent form of soft power for the East Asian country.

However, an upcoming K-Pop event – the 2024 K-Pop World Festival (Israel Preliminary), set for 15 July and sponsored by the South Korean embassy in Israel, is facing calls for cancellation due to the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza being inflicted by the US-backed occupation forces.

K-Pop’s appeal in the Middle East has been growing steadily. As with the rest of the world, this largely young demographic, known for its tech-savvy nature and active social media presence, has formed established online communities to support their favourite K-Pop groups. Among these fans, BTS, EXO and BLACKPINK stand out as particularly popular.

Unsurprisingly, many K-Pop fans also hold strong pro-Palestinian views. For instance, the ARMY4Palestine initiative, driven by BTS fans, has raised approximately $100,000 for the Palestinian cause. Yet this also contrasts with the genre’s popularity in Israel, where K-Pop also enjoys a dedicated following – hence the online predicament the South Korean-backed event is now facing.

NO BUSINESS AS USUAL
팔레스타인 주민들이 이스라엘에 산 채로 불태워져 살해당하고 있는데 집단학살을 실시간으로 지켜보며 이스라엘인들과 K-POP 축제를 즐기겠다고요? @mofa_kr
이스라엘의 집단학살 시작후 그 어떤 것도 전과 같을 수 없습니다#NoToArtwashingInKpop#KpopFestivalOutWithZionism https://t.co/u923FIjMg1 pic.twitter.com/4L9KG1692K

— 🍉 팔레스타인평화연대 – BDS Korea 🇵🇸 (@pps_kr) July 8, 2024

The controversy started when the South Korean embassy in Israel promoted the K-Pop World Festival auditions this month, which would allow Israeli participants to compete in the global event. This announcement was met with significant backlash on social media, particularly on X where hashtags including #NoToArtwashingInKpop and #KpopFestivalOutWithZionism have been trending in recent days.

One post criticised the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs for prioritising cultural promotion over human rights, stating: “The Korean ministry of foreign affairs released a statement on the backlash against the K-Pop festival being held in ‘Israel’. They literally said we don’t care how many Palestinians die, we are going to spread our culture in a genocidal settler state. SHAME!”

the korean ministry of foreign affairs released a statement on the backlash against kpop festival being held in ‘israel’. they literally said we don’t care how many Palestinians die, we are going to spread our culture in a genocidal settler state. SHAME!#NoToArtwashingInKpop pic.twitter.com/VClQpak4ol

— Haaaaaari 🍉 (@pporapippamm) July 10, 2024

Like sportswashing, Israel has been accused of artwashing or the practice of using art to improve the image of entities involved in unethical activities and has been a focal point of the criticism.

READ: Gaza resident: ‘At least we can burn the evacuation leaflets as firewood’

As with the occupation state’s controversial inclusion in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, opponents argue that Israel’s participation in the K-Pop festival serves to distract from the military actions in Gaza. An X user succinctly captured this sentiment, stating: “The South Korean government & KBS is now complicit in the genocide in Gaza being art washed by allowing Israeli settlers from the settler colony to have a spot in the K-Pop World Festival.”

the south korean government & kbs is now complicit in the genocide in gaza being art washed by allowing israeli settlers from the settler colony to have a spot in the kpop world festival. do not remain silent about this. #NoToArtwashingInKpop#KpopFestivalOutWithZionism pic.twitter.com/4wBfsi8jdd

— ☾vmin’s peach ೀ ⁷ | 🍉 (@fairydustvmin) July 7, 2024

The South Korean BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement has also voiced its opposition, urging followers to file complaints with the Korean embassy in Israel and the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the inappropriate timing of the festival and its potential to serve as propaganda for the Zionist state.

please BOYCOTT the KBS K-POP WORLD FESTIVAL. it is allowing individuals from isr*el to participate and inviting them to perform on korean national television

zionism is forcing its way into the kpop industry more and more every day, please don’t allow it to continue further pic.twitter.com/uF4WqpDzQ6

— STEP OUT & SPEAK UP (@stepout_speakup) July 7, 2024

The reaction from the wider K-Pop community has been particularly intense. Users condemned the event as a distraction from the atrocities in Gaza: “Artwashing in the middle of a genocide is a new low, even for KBS,” wrote one user. “Participants and guest performers will never wash off this stain.”

CLARIFICATION ON KBS K-POP WORLD FESTIVAL:

Our focus here is on the Korean government for organizing, sponsoring, and allowing israel to compete in this competition, and KBS for producing and broadcasting the event. #NoToArtwashingInKpop #KpopFestivalOutWithZionism pic.twitter.com/yRUMgiROji

— STEP OUT & SPEAK UP (@stepout_speakup) July 8, 2024

While ARMY4Palestine, tweeted: “The settler colony is trying to artwash apartheid, genocide, and their violations of Palestinian human rights again, as it is a big part of their propaganda strategy.”

It also ridiculed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for suggesting that: “We hope that the situation will improve quickly in the future so that the event can be held in Palestine as well.”

Saying that Palestine can participate when “the situation gets better” is incredibly tonedeaf and flat out ignorant. You are an embarrassment to your ancestors who have been oppressed in similar ways @mofa_kr, have you forgotten your history? #NoToArtwashingInKpop… https://t.co/hpy0SUz728

— ARMY for Palestine (@ARMY4Palestine) July 10, 2024

In a widely shared post, one user highlighted the irony of the event taking place after the killing of a young Palestinian MOA from Gaza known as Tia by Israeli forces. “Moments of Alwaysness” (MOA) is the official fandom name for fans of the South Korean boy group TXT (Tomorrow X Together). Tia, a recent engineering graduate, was killed early in the Israeli onslaught in late October of last year. She and her family had been displaced and forced to flee to central Gaza, where they sought refuge with relatives.

Tia was a Palestinian MOA who was murdered in Gaza by Israel, and now the Kpop Festival is allowing Israelis to participate in the contest#KpopFestivalOutWithZionism#HYBEDivestFromZionism pic.twitter.com/aOzWv98qoK

— ari 𓂆 (@falastinerkive) July 7, 2024

According to posts on social media, over 40 people gathered in a three-story house, placing women and children on the lower floor for safety. At 1 am, while they were sleeping, a missile struck the lower floor, demolishing the entire building. Twelve of Tia’s family members were killed, and a total of 20 people, mostly young children and women, lost their lives. A friend shared Tia’s “final message” to the group, which was acknowledged by TXT member Taehyun.

While it is unlikely that the South Korean government will cancel the event, the damage has been done. Fans of the genre in the region and beyond have made it clear that they do not want Zionism and what it represents to tarnish the K-Pop scene. As a cultural asset, Seoul would do well to heed the calls from the global fandom. However, as a stalwart US ally with strong ties to Tel Aviv, South Korea faces bigger issues that need addressing as part of its foreign policy posture.

READ: Protestors in South Korea demand action for Gaza