The K-wave is taking the world by storm, so how exactly are fans supporting their favorite idols to ensure success? We take a closer look!
If you walk through central London now, you might see many posters of famous K-pop bands such as BTS and Seventeen smiling at you on one of the many billboards, this is a big change from mainly seeing Western stars. This practice of fans showing their support and celebrating their idols' birthdays has stemmed from South Korean fans doing the same in the Seoul subways first.
Fans of some of K-pop's most popular bands have put together resources and raised money to purchase over £2,000 (2,665 USD) worth of advertising space to support and commemorate these bands.
The renting of billboard space at Piccadilly Circus station in London is a prime spot for advertising with many tourists and workers alike passing by each day. The billboard renting allows fans to unite and feel a part of the K-wave sweeping across the UK and the rest of the world. The billboards also bring attention to the band and offer free promotion.
It's part of a global effort by international fans of the group to purchase as many posters as possible around the world to mark the milestone that K-pop has achieved in becoming known worldwide outside of Korea.
"Since 2017, have fundraised for anniversary billboards in London, Manchester, and Dublin and we are so grateful to ARMY from all over the world who have donated to make this happen each year! And of course, in 2024 this has continued, and if anything grew from the small effort in which it started." - BTS ARMY UNITE GROUP UK.
This is not all, food trucks have also been used as a way of advertising fans' favorite artists as they are easily recognizable from K-dramas or music videos. This is also great for the summer season when many food trucks line alongside one another at festivals or popular beachside destinations.
If there's one way to say "thanks" to your idol, it's by getting them higher in the charts. This is done by promoting the artist's music on social media, requesting radio plays, and buying the music, sometimes on multiple platforms.
Other groups host competitions where fans can win items if they purchase music to support their idol. Some even raise money so that fans who can't afford to buy the music themselves, have the funds to do so. However this may sound, we have seen through decades of famous and popular musicians that fans of any genre of music tend to go over the top in ways to support or meet their favorite artists. What do you think?
Let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.
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