Why ATEEZ is Special “Patriotic Idols Who Decided to Become the Kings of Elections”
K -idols are also leading the way in ‘patriotism’ by encouraging voting.The methods are also evolving.Following the so-called ‘voter certification shot’ where they take a commemorative photo in front of a polling station near their dorm or agency after completing their voting, they have now started spreading a new culture by producing ‘voter certification papers’ and distributing them to their fandom.The photo shows the voting certification paper(right)released by the group ATEEZ and the members who certified it themselves.Photo courtesy of KQ Entertainment
“We are patriotic idols!”
Are there any other artists like this in the world? K -idols are also leading the way in ‘patriotism’ by encouraging voting.The methods are also evolving.Following the so-called ‘voter certification shot’ where they take a commemorative photo in front of a polling station near their accommodation or agency after completing their voting, they have now started spreading a new culture by producing ‘voter certification papers’ and distributing them to their fandom.
The voting certification paper contains the group’s official logo, the voting date, and illustrations drawn by the members themselves.Anyone can download it through the group’s official SNS, and after voting, fandoms take a picture holding the voting certification paper they printed themselves and mark it as an “exercise of sovereignty” on their personal SNS.
The idol groups that produced and distributed ‘voter certification papers’ for the 21st presidential election held on the 3rd were ATEEZ, Psychus, Billy and Ark, and Odd Youth.ATEEZ and Psychus are from KQ Entertainment, while Billy and Ark are from Mystic Story.
KQ Entertainment, which ATEEZ and CYKERS belong to, posted voting certification forms on each group’s SNS on the 28th of last month, the day before early voting.ATEEZ used an illustration of a ship’s helm, reflecting their unique pirate worldview, and CYKERS also actively encouraged fandom participation in the election through an image of a voting stamp.
Group Billy also recently started producing and distributing voting certification papers.Photo courtesy of Mystic Story
Billy and Ark’s agency, Mystic Story, sequentially released voting certification papers on the 24th and 26th of last month.They emphasized on SNS that they would participate in the precious exercise of sovereignty by saying, “This is a voting certification paper specially prepared for the fandom.”
Regarding the ‘voter certification paper’ that was highlighted in this presidential election, there are opinions both inside and outside of K-pop that it will “become a new catalyst” that can induce more active participation than the existing photos in front of the polling station.
In line with this, an official said, “During the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections scheduled for next year, we expect to see a wide range of scenes where idols ‘voting completion photos will be displayed alongside the’ voting certification forms’ they produced.”
Reporter Heo Min- mignon@donga.com
This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.
