K-Pop Festival With Israeli Participation Hit With Massive Backlash
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Israel recently announced the return of their annual K-pop World Festival, igniting widespread calls for a boycott from fans.
The festival — a competition sponsored by KBS — will see winners travel to Korea to perform at the K-pop World Festival in Changwon. However, Israel’s inclusion as a contestant has sparked significant controversy.
We call on @KBSWorldTV to cut all ties to zionism and remove israel as a contestant in the 2024 KBS K-POP WORLD FESTIVAL
You cannot allow a nation committing genocide to participate and further promote their propaganda#NoToArtwashingInKpop#KpopFestivalOutWithZionism pic.twitter.com/kNAtuh3Nxf
— ari 𓂆 (@falastinerkive) July 7, 2024
Fans are urging KBS to cut all ties with Israel, arguing that a nation involved in severe humanitarian conflicts should not be allowed to participate. They contend that allowing Israel to join promotes propaganda and overlooks the ongoing violence in Gaza.
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
Some fans have taken steps to prevent their favorite idol groups from being associated with the festival in the future. Previous years saw groups like RIIZE, Kep1er, STRAY KIDS, Somi, THE BOYZ, aespa, Dreamcatcher, ATEEZ, TXT, and many others promoting the event.
Idols who were used to promote K-POP World Festival in the past:
RIIZE
Kep1er
STRAY KIDS
Somi
THE BOYZ
aespa
Dreamcatcher
ATEEZ
Red Velvet
ITZY
TXTThey will try to use idols to co-sign their actions.#NoToArtwashingInKpop#KpopFestivalOutWithZionism pic.twitter.com/SbLoEw7cbq
— STEP OUT & SPEAK UP (@stepout_speakup) July 7, 2024
#kep1ian! kep1er was used to promote kbs “k-pop world festival.” this festival will officially include 🇮🇱 this year. we must help with other stans with spreading awareness and tags! please copy and reply to the tweet with the template below this tweet. this is very unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/o6vNDXuSNB
— from kep1er ✧ (@fromkep1er) July 7, 2024
The Korean BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Twitter page has also condemned the festival, emphasizing the inappropriateness of holding such an event while Palestinians suffer. They argue that participating in the festival is tantamount to ignoring the plight of those affected by the ongoing genocide.
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
Palestinian residents are being burned alive and murdered in Israel, and you want to watch the genocide in real time and enjoy a K-pop festival with Israelis? @mofa_kr
Nothing will ever be the same after the Israeli genocide began.
— @pps_kr on X (formerly known as Twitter)
Fan reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) reflect the widespread outrage. Many users have made their “disgust” at the inclusion public, while others are taking measures to prevent their favorite stars from being used to promote the event.
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. Cultural propaganda is a powerful tool, which is why cultural boycotts are important and necessary. BOYCOTT THE… pic.twitter.com/5EVXUOn8CL
— ARMY for Palestine (@ARMY4Palestine) July 7, 2024
the FUCK is this shit?????? pic.twitter.com/k4bHy94r7l
— aster🐳 (@motionlessminpd) July 7, 2024
It remains to be seen whether KBS will listen to the fans’ worries and cut ties with the competition or if the Korean government will go ahead with the festival without any changes. Only one thing is for sure: K-Pop fans are working hard to make their voices heard.
