Cultural Appropriation in the K-pop Industry
By Rachel Gao
In recent years the K-pop industry has been gaining a lot of attention worldwide, with groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, SEVENTEEN, etc., dominating the market. It's no surprise that K-pop fans come from different backgrounds and have become more diverse. One would think that because the industry has gotten more global attention, they would become more sensitive and aware of issues like cultural appropriation. However, just like the American music industry, K-pop idols are not innocent of cultural appropriation.
What is cultural appropriation? According to Britannica, cultural appropriation is "when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. This is not to confuse cultural appreciation, where you respect and learn about another culture.
It is upsetting and frustrating to see the long list of things that K-pop idols have done. Many have said slurs, mocked Desi dances and poses, wore Desi outfits/accessories, locs, blackface, Native American headdresses, etc. These instances of cultural appropriation happen during V-lives or in music videos and promotion stages (styling of outfits). When cultural appropriation happens, the idols receive a lot of uproar and anger from international fans, and they have every right to feel that way. Those fans are trying to hold K-pop idols accountable for their actions.
In contrast, a bunch of fans try to silence offended fans, and some fans try to defend K-pop idols even though they did something wrong.
What should fans do when a K-pop idol does cultural appropriation? They should be listening to fans who are part of the community that the K-pop idol offended.
Educate yourself by listening to what they say and amplifying their voices. If you are not part of that community, do not talk over the fans who are.
Let's talk about cultural appropriation being used as a marketing strategy. When fans are upset and are spreading their frustration on social media apps, the K-pop group gets publicity. A business's ultimate goal is profit; some could care less whether their publicity is positive or negative because any promotion is good for them. Idols in the same companies have disrespected cultures repeatedly; it is a never-ending list making it seem like the companies want to bring attention to the group. This is a horrible strategy for companies to use, especially since most of the K-pop industry is built/influenced by Black culture.
Companies and idols have issued apologies, and just because they give an apology does not mean fans have to accept it.
Sometimes when an instance of cultural appropriation happens, the companies/idols will completely ignore the situation, delete the evidence, and never give an apology.
When P1Harmony was on the Zach Sang Show, Keeho said a few words that I think the whole K-pop industry (companies, idols, stylists, and fans) needs to hear. "I believe it's a responsibility. I also feel like if you're going to have that big of a platform, you need to be able to respect and appreciate all cultures without appropriating them." Whenever it comes to our styling or, like you know, our music, it's always a sensitive topic that we always have to think about once thrice, in every step of the way. Fans call this the bare minimum, but I think those fans are not focusing on what Keeho is saying and doing. It is a bit ironic that people call what Keeho said/did the bare minimum since so many groups and companies can not even do it. Keeho is openly talking about the issue of cultural appropriation and how respecting cultures should be part of the whole creation process.
Diversity and cultural sensitivity training are well-known things to implement in a business workplace.
As K-pop groups are becoming bigger globally, entertainment companies should be making an effort to respect, learn and educate their idols and staff about other cultures hence the cultural sensitivity training. Companies should be listening to fans who speak out on cultural appropriation and allow their idols to give sincere apologies instead of an apology to give an apology. Cultural appropriation has been a long-standing issue in the K-pop industry, and companies and idols must be more aware and respectful of other cultures.