The death of Mr George Floyd has sparked outrage in the US and around the world, including South Korea where K-pop stars such as Jay Park, Red Velvet’s Yeri and Tiffany from Girls’ Generation have spoken up about and contributed to the Black Lives Matter movement.
The US has seen nationwide protests after the 46-year-old man died while being detained by police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been charged with second-degree murder.
The South Korean stars have shared information in both English and Korean to spread the message to fans in South Korea and abroad.
Here’s what the K-pop stars are doing:
Tiffany Young from Girls’ Generation was encouraging her fans to make donations for this movement.
Born in Washington state, American rapper and singer Park, 33, has previously said he was heavily influenced by American artists, including black performers such as Jay Z, Nas, Tupac and Usher.
After a brief hiatus from the South Korean music industry, he returned to the US and founded his own labels, AOMG and H1GHR Music.
On Monday, he posted a picture of artists from H1GHR Music standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and said the label and artists had collectively donated US$21,000 (S$29,400) to the cause.
Known by her stage name Jamie, the singer posted a note on Instagram to educate her fans and followers about the context and intentions of the movement.
Formerly of South Korean girl group f(x), the California-born shared an email template for writing to officials about Mr Floyd’s death.
She also retweeted news about Mr Floyd’s autopsy report and Chauvin’s charges being upgraded from third-to second-degree murder. Three other police officers have also been charged.
CL has written a letter calling for greater awareness of how all aspects of the K-pop industry have been inspired by black culture and she encouraged everyone to care about and support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Shortly after outrage sparked over the death of George Floyd, CL first showed her support for the movement on May 31 when she shared a petition on her Instagram calling for justice.
CL is a popular singer-songwriter and rapper who made her debut in 2009 as the leader of the legendary girl group 2NE1. On top of the group’s many achievements, she is also the only Korean female soloist to chart on Billboard’s Hot 100, which she did in 2015 with her track “Lifted.” She most recently dropped the chart-topping album “In The Name Of Love” last December.
Crush has also voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter movement by donating to the Official George Floyd Memorial Fund on GoFundMe.
The fundraiser is run by George Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd, and the funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit, care, and education of his children.
Along with a screenshot of his donation, Crush shared an image with the text, “It is not enough to be quietly non-racist. Now is the time to be vocally anti-racist.” In the caption of his Instagram post, he wrote, “Many artists and people around the world get so much inspiration from black culture and music including me. We have a duty to respect every race. I believe all races have the right to be respected.”
On May 31, Jae posted a link on his Twitter account to a website containing information about the movement along with a screenshot of his personal $1,000 donation to the Minnesota Freedom Fund. The Minnesota Freedom Fund describes their mission as, “pay[ing] criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as [they] seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.”
https://t.co/cvqYpN7BfF pic.twitter.com/kRjMsOtqXl
— Day6 Jae (@Jae_Day6) May 31, 2020
Then, on May 31 pH-1 tweeted again to share his determination to learn more about the movement. He also posted a link to the website containing information about the Black Lives Matter movement and shared his $3,000 donation to the Black Lives Matter fund. He added, “I’m doing my best to help and support.”
every life will matter once the BLACK LIVES MATTER. may God be with his family. #JusticeForGeorgeFlyodhttps://t.co/i4392I0fSn
— pH-1 (@ph1boyyy) May 30, 2020
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This article was first published in The Straits Times.
my first prayers this morning to George Floyd, and the movement of the people. one family 🙏🏽🕉 #BlackLiveMatter #solidarity
— 아빠 최고 (@DrunkenTigerJK) May 30, 2020