South Korea Presidential Election Nears Amid K-Pop Campaign Surge

As South Korea approaches its presidential election, the political climate is tense with liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung facing conservative Kim Moon Soo amid national challenges including political polarization and North Korean military threats. K-pop stars, influential yet cautious, have notably refrained from public political endorsements or gestures, such as the 'V' sign, to avoid controversies and maintain neutrality during the election period. Despite this, both major political parties have strategically incorporated popular K-pop songs like Kim Jong-kook’s "Lovable" and Young Tak’s "Next Door Oppa" into their campaigns to engage voters, using music and choreography to energize rallies without direct artist involvement. This approach also avoids the high costs associated with licensing new music from top K-pop agencies. The use of K-pop in political campaigns contrasts with Western practices where celebrities openly endorse candidates, underscoring South Korean artists' preference for controlled public personas and the political parties' creative adaptation to this cultural context. Overall, K-pop serves as a powerful yet carefully managed cultural and political tool in South Korea's election landscape.