It is no surprise that fandoms of world-renowned K-pop groups like BTS, EXO, 2ne1, Blackpink, Big Bang, Twice, Red Velvet, and many more, ha...
In 2018, BTS partnered with Unicef for the Love Myself and #ENDviolence Campaigns
to protect children and teens from violence and encourage preventive measures, and collectively, this aim has a common ground with the values pursued by BTS. To strengthen the campaign, the ARMY went all out for the group’s cause. Through the support of the ARMYs, BTS was able to raise funds for the campaign and helped in dominating social media by spreading awareness, embracing messages of love, and uplifting the spirit of kindness across the world. In addition, the fan base itself has carried on several projects on their own in support of BTS’ Sixth Anniversary, where the ARMYs raised funds for a Food Bank Project in Singapore, raised money for the Black Lives Matter Movement, and so much more. They also kick-started donation projects to several causes as a way to honor each member’s birthdays.
Courtesy: Love Myself.org
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n 2020, when Typhoon Ulysses badly hit Cagayan De Oro, Philippines, a fan page for Blackpink, specifically the BLINK INTL, made a call for a donation drive to help the typhoon victims through monetary donations. Through this donation drive, the fan page was able to garner a total of $149.90 (about P7,000) and was sent to Kayanatin.Ph. In their own simple way, this signifies how K-pop fan bases not only spend money for merchandise and collection items to show love for their idols but also contribute to society through acts of charity that embody their idols’ values.
Image: Screenshot of BLNK INTL's Call for Donation
In the same year, a similar donation project was initiated by NCT (Neo-Culture Technology) Philippines, the first and largest local fanbase for NCT entitled “Project Renaissance”, together with other fan clubs of SHINee and Super Junior. The project delivered prepaid loads to fans who were affected by the typhoon, along with cash donations and essential medical supplies to organizations performing relief operations for areas that were deeply affected.
This 2022, several Pinoy K-pop fans also showed their contribution by battling against disinformation by leading voter education efforts for the upcoming Presidential elections in the Philippines. For one, Kpop Stans 4 Leni, who debuted just hours after the VP’s announcement to run as a candidate, immediately drew a large number of followers. The group has since organized voter education forums through social media and heartfully teaches fans — including younger ones who are not of the voting age — the importance of civic participation and how politics affects the “stan” experience. These movements of K-pop fans embody that there is more to “fangirling/fanboying” than meets the eye, as their influences affect many people with the same interests, beliefs, and values.
Courtesy: Kpop Stans 4 Leni
There are many more ways that fan bases have contributed to social good throughout the years, and it is their commitment and dedication that definitely sparks and boosts the beauty of Hallyu. For sure, their K-idols are more than proud of the causes and love projects their fan bases initiate all for the good of helping society.
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This article is written by Cathrine Grace S. Alcachupas, a Digital Marketing Department Intern of PS Media Enterprise and an AB Communication student in De La Salle University-Dasmarinas.
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