POLITICIANS EXPLOIT K-POP FANDOM

(RAAP—029)

K-Pop groups have emerged as significant influencers, serving as a form of soft diplomacy on the global stage. In Indonesia, the K-Pop fanbase is notably active, with the country recording the highest number of tweets about K-Pop in both 2020 and 2021. The majority of K-Pop enthusiasts in Indonesia are millennials and members of Generation Z, who constitute approximately 60% of the electorate in 2024.

Politicians in Indonesia are keen to engage this substantial voter segment, particularly as elections approach. For instance, presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo sought to capitalize on the popularity of K-Pop by inviting K-Pop groups to perform in the country. However, this effort faced backlash when fans perceived it as a manipulative tactic to gain political advantage.

Other political parties have similarly attempted to leverage K-Pop fandom for electoral gains. The Gerindra Party conducted a ticket giveaway for a Blackpink concert, while the National Mandate Party (PAN) organized an event featuring the K-Pop group Astro. These actions have been criticized as exploitative, with public demands for politicians to prioritize pressing issues over using K-Pop fandom for political leverage.