(Early Access) DK ASKS : Should Kpop Idols Speak Up on BLM?
Added 2020-06-17 15:41:45 +0000 UTCHi Ducks!
We recently had a heated debate on this topic, so we went out and asked people on the streets on Seoul what they think about Kpop idols speaking about BLM.
Here is an early access for you all!
Enjoy! (we're still working on the ending)
Comments
I think it may difficult for many young people living in Korea to realize how painful it is to live in the U.S and read about the way black citizens are treated all too often at the hands of police that are sworn to protect the community that they work in. There was a tipping point,and now educated citizens in the U.S ,of all ages, feel that they have waited too long to act with one loud voice to change the way police are allowed to harm the citizenry again and again.All over the country,new laws are being enacted now,finally,because of the large protests in towns and cities,in rural areas and the largest cities. The protests continue and an enormous change is happening because of the protests.Social media can drown out the staged commentaries by self-serving politicians. Music artists will fight their own fights,someday,when they are not being so carefully handled to prevent controversy.
Carol Gardens
2020-06-21 19:25:28 +0000 UTCThe part about understanding where the music you're sampling or inspired by comes from is right on target. Ignorance is not an excuse. I've lost so much respect for these kpop/khiphop artists who chose to be silent. They are nothing more than cultural thieves and profiteers now.
BTS Super Fan
2020-06-19 00:57:45 +0000 UTCPhew! Say it louder for the people in the back!!!!!
Isa
2020-06-18 18:19:48 +0000 UTCThank you for coming to my Ted talk
Sarah Kinder
2020-06-18 17:43:12 +0000 UTCAfter watching the latest DKDKnews, and Danny’s commentary, I was so fired up, and genuinely agreed with everything he said. Now, after watching this, it’s clear that the general public in Korea understands that labels are too cautious to do anything that is going to rock the boat of their bottom line. And although, it is generally fine to not be too political, the fact is that this is not a political issue, it’s a human rights issue, and it isn’t just going to be a brief moment in history, this is going to be going on for a long time, until there is a shift in the class paradigm attached to skin color, not just in the US, but globally. Kpop as an industry needs to educate their artists about where their samples, and music, and influence comes from. Where they get their influence and music, is not shallow... it runs so deep in the hearts of black Americans, and if you aren’t willing to acknowledge the heartbeat behind the music that you are sampling, or using as a muse for your own creation, then it’s appropriation, and racist, because that means you aren’t willing to look beyond your privilege to open your mind to the injustices that birthed this music. Just like in parasite, where the youngest kid was obsessed with Native American culture, he was spoon fed a watered down version of a vibrant culture with a bloody history, and as a result, was wearing culture as a costume. Just because hip hop has been globalized, it doesn’t remove its roots, and the history we are currently living in the streets. Khiphop is still hip hop, and it was birthed out of the injustices towards black people in the US, and is used to bring light to social issues by global artists. And although I think what the first lady was saying was accurate, as she has experience with the US, the bottom line is that, saying nothing as a kpop artist who benefits from the hip hop industry is considered racist. And right now, the public cannot stay silent. It is not enough to just not be racist, you have to be anti racist. The people in government aren’t supporting the black community, so the black community needs those WITH power to support them in this movement either by donating, influencing, or protesting... etc.
Sarah Kinder
2020-06-18 17:42:56 +0000 UTCI'm curious to know if a Korean police officer stops a Korean citizen and attempts to take him into custody, does the citizen normally fight with the officer ? All black people are not criminals and all police officers are not racists and yet both sides paint the other side with the same broad brush that they themselves do not want to be painted with. If we can't get past that, how will we ever heal. I really hate to see this happening.
Steven Pambello
2020-06-18 07:22:13 +0000 UTCIt was interesting to see what the average person the street thought when these matters don't impact their day to day lives. I would agree that no one, regardless of their status, should be forced to comment or donate unless they truly felt the need to. Unfortunately both the mainstream media as well as the social media have hijacked the real narrative by focusing on the violence and as a result, people who mean well may choose to stay out of it and not donate because they might feel that they are contributing to the violence instead of the plight of black people. Its sad that the media chooses to drive the story to meet their own agenda instead of telling the truth about the underlying reasons. I hope a way is found to resolve this when cooler heads can prevail.
Steven Pambello
2020-06-18 07:10:15 +0000 UTCExactly what Jemishia said. The first speaker has the insight needed to comment on BLM. I do think it is difficult to answer the questions if you are only exposed to limited information and have never visited the US. I fear that (as I have seen on some social media) many outlets only initially concentrated on the looting and the fires. Again, it is the media that feeds the public. In light of that, I will say I questioned the BLM “protest” in Seoul that I saw online. I reached out to my Seoul friends who let me know that it wasn’t well-organized and that there was a virtual protest in Seoul by those who strongly wanted to show support for the BLM movement in the US. I guess I understand that Kpop groups must tow a line for their companies, but I also think the companies should re-evaluate why they are silent. As well, those companies need to realize that the correlation between their silence and their success outside of Korea are related. Also, no one should be “forced” to do anything. That said, if you are a person who cares about people’s lives over the bottom line … well, speaking out is a no brainer.
mothermade
2020-06-18 01:20:27 +0000 UTCTheir statements were reasonable. I don't think it's necessary to force someone to publicly state their opinions about the issues, that is what the protests are for. We don't know what people are doing behind the scenes. Sadly, the looting is always an issue with protests but looting is mainly just caused by opportunists and police wanting to start riots (there is evidence out there of this). You can tell that the first person that was interview spent time in the states. Sometimes in interviews like this you can tell who has been exposed to american culture and understand the things that are going on over here. I wouldn't get mad if they didn't know because it's not like I'm educated on Korean politics. I do find it a shame that some people want to make it seem like kpop and khiphop isn't highly influenced by black culture from the beats, style, and dances. I don't want to sound harsh, but the music they love so much is highly influenced by our culture. Fans hardly ever want to acknowledge that, but at least the artists who have spoken up realized where their musical influence comes from which is why a lot have spoken up about it. Personally I don't want anyone to feel pressured. The protests speak for themselves and time will show other countries what is true going on.
Jemishia
2020-06-17 21:40:25 +0000 UTCHum, interesting. How they think that k-hiphop isn’t related to black music anymore. Like they make their own way. IMO is not true. All the Kpop comes for music made by black people. And it’s true that people are not obligated to speak about it. But is also true that a lot of people, me included, will not consume your songs or products if you choose to stay silent. And there’s nothing heated about this. Just people thinking about the matter as a outsider.
Alinne Torres Soares
2020-06-17 20:27:27 +0000 UTCI wonder if it is of value to add a statistic or statement that majority of protests have been peaceful and looting is small fraction of the movement.
Melissa Osk
2020-06-17 19:19:11 +0000 UTCVery interesting. I am fascinated by the differences between the women’s opinions in contrast to the men’s. BTW, things can be replaced. Lives cannot.
mothermade
2020-06-17 17:19:12 +0000 UTCHi guys, this is a great topic and thanks for all the work you've already put into this. I think the title needs to change since the KPop question didn't come up until ~5-6 minutes into the interview. Also, it's a bit long (at least for me) since there wasn't a lot of divergent opinions so the answers sound repetitive. I was more interested when you said there was a "heated debate on the topic." I would've loved to see more of the "heated debate."
Eileen Francisco
2020-06-17 17:09:37 +0000 UTCThank you for this interesting interview. On the topic of celebrities speaking out on BLM, I think Dave Chappelle said it best “The streets are talking for themselves, They don’t need me right now.”
Kitt
2020-06-17 17:04:01 +0000 UTC
