K-pop fans are showing success in getting rid of white supremacist messages spreading on social media.
It all began on Wednesday, when white supremacists began using the hashtag #WhiteLivesMatter on Twitter to undermine the human rights movement that spread throughout the United States along with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter following the death of George Floyd.
우리는 인종차별에 반대합니다.
우리는 폭력에 반대합니다.
나, 당신, 우리 모두는 존중받을 권리가 있습니다. 함께 하겠습니다.We stand against racial discrimination.
We condemn violence.
You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.#BlackLivesMatter— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) June 4, 2020
In response, K-pop fans teamed up to cover up Twitter feeds of white supremacist messages by using the hashtag with pictures or videos of K-pop stars and celebrities.
“Stop being racist. It is not right. Just go away looking at the photos of our celebrities,” one of the posts said. “Your lives will become much more peaceful once you realize that all humans are equal.”
One user on Twitter gleefully described this movement as ‘hashtag hijack’.
“There were no racist posts in the feed by the afternoon,” the user said. “K-pop fans did a great job hijacking those hashtags.”
Another Twitter user criticized racism by sharing a part of the speech given by BTS member RM at an event during the 73rd session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York in Sept. 24, 2018.
“Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself,” RM said during the speech.
Hashtag hijacks led by K-pop fans have spread across multiple social media platforms including Instagram and others.
“K-pop fans have reclaimed the #WhiteLivesMatter from racists on both Twitter and Instagram, tagging posts of K-pop stars, in a display of global solidarity with those protesting for racial equality in the United States,” Forbes reported.
“K-pop fans from around the world – a massive force on social media – are acting as allies with Black Lives Matter,” Forbes added. “Other hashtags are being overwhelmed with pop music and peaceful content.” (Korea Bizwire)