My K-POP SCRAPBOOK - Weverse Magazine

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My K-POP SCRAPBOOK

K-pop by the fans

2025.02.24

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K-POP

WORLD

Why K-pop, and why now? That’s the question posed back in July 2023 that spurred the article you’re seeing today. K-pop might not be for absolutely everyone, but as individuals here and there who love the genre have slowly come together, K-pop has undeniably become more and more visible. To understand why, we sought out those of you who love, listen to, and immerse themselves in K-pop.

Starting in November of that year, we reached out to 42 fans and K-pop dancers to interview them about K-pop. Most of what’s featured in this article came from those interviews. Interviewees living outside Korea provided written answers, while we interviewed others either in person or over video.

Each and every one of them had something important to say, and we wanted to be sure to convey that properly. To that end, other than organizing their responses by topic, we present this article without editorial intervention. After all, K-pop is best seen through the eyes of those who create and experience it, rather than through someone else’s interpretation. We hope this approach gives our readers a proper sense of these individuals’ stories.

Every effort was made to ensure the responses in this article reflect a variety of diverse viewpoints. Although we strove to achieve regional diversity when choosing who to reach out to for interviews, communication and other issues prevented us from fully realizing this goal. When reaching out to groups, we asked that they consider representation and diversity when selecting individuals from within their circle to participate in the interviews.

The outline and organization of this article was an editorial decision made entirely by the magazine. All interviewees were informed in advance about how their statements would be used and their consent received.

Weverse Magazine

Editor: Kim Rieun
Article: Kim Rieun
Creative Director: Kim Minkyoung
Project Management: Bae Hyeyeon,
Park Soomin

Double D

Creative Director: Huh Minjae
Design: Moon Eunyoo, Jeon Seongjae,
Chung Haeun

Web Publishing: Cho Yeonjeong,
Yeon Yejin, Choi Jooyoung
3D Art: BYEONKI

Some of the graphics used in this project were created using generative AI.

Contents

K-pop as the spirit of the times

K-pop’s a great way to meet new people

Lia

K-pop is a great way to meet new people! It’s amazing how fast you can become friends with someone if you like the same group. I’ve made a few friends thanks to K-pop. We became close doing activities like purchasing albums or meeting to watch concerts online. It’s definitely a strong community. At the events I’ve attended in Italy, it’s been so nice to be surrounded by people with the same passion as me. Now I even have some Korean friends because of SEVENTEEN! And the same thing happened with two other girls from Japan because of Stray Kids and NCT. Since K-pop fans tend to be more invested and enthusiastic, it’s easier to become close compared to other hobbies one might have in common. It’s also really funny and amazing to see how everyone, all over the world, reacts in the same way when it comes to the idols they like, getting excited when they change their hair color, for example.

Lia(Rome, Italia)

I studied western history in college and I'm now working as an employee in Rome.

K-pop has given us a shared language

Mehr Sethi

K-pop has given us all a shared language that let us click together pretty immediately. Everyone in the dance cover team loves K-pop. Even though we come from extremely different backgrounds and often live fairly different lives, all those differences disappear in the excitement of discovering you have the same favorite group as someone else or that you know the same obscure performance that some idol did pre-debut. Especially with the high frequency of comebacks, there's always something new to talk about and share different perspectives on. We will often watch new releases together after practices, or buy merch together to save on shipping costs, or make plans to travel together for concerts. Inherently, K-pop provides us a huge range of avenues through which we can express our love for artists, and in doing so it gives us an opportunity to find a community with others who share that love.

Mehr Sethi(Warsaw, Poland, she/her)

A fan of K-pop music fascinated with the spread and shift of K-pop culture over the years. I used to dance with Eclipse K-pop.

ECLIPSE

A dance team from Northern California formed in August 2016 focused on creating YouTube video covers to express their love of dance. Comprised of both students and professionals of varying ages and backgrounds, this diverse group bonded over their shared passion and love of K-Pop.

I‘m happy we brought unity among fans

Henrique

As part of the fan base team, I think for me one of the most memorable moments was the TOMORROW X TOGETHER stream party project we took part in along with fourth-generation girl group fanbases. I had this idea for a long time, but was afraid to put it into practice. Then I talked to the rest of the team and they supported the project. We sent invitations to several female group fanbases, and fanbases for LE SSERAFIM, (G)I-DLE, IVE, and aespa all ended up participating. They all embraced the idea of promoting an environment in which people could discover new artists and new songs, so that each group could gain new fans.

I know that a lot of the times the environment among K-pop fandoms can be a little tense, but the goal of the project was exactly the opposite, to create a feeling of unity among the members of the K-pop community. Fortunately, the project was a success. More than 4,000 people listened to the songs of the groups simultaneously on STATIONHEAD, the project trended on Twitter (now X) and our announcement tweet was viewed more than 1.7M times. People’s interest in it was sparked, and they discovered many new songs and were delighted with the quality of the groups presented. Fans were eager to know the reaction of others listening to the music of their favorite artist. There were many tweets with positive feedback from outsiders praising the songs. Of course there were also many people who did not like the idea of the project, but from what I witnessed, there were many good reactions, and I feel happy to have promoted something that may have brought unity among fans.

Henrique(Bahia, Brazil, 22 years old, he/him)

A person who likes chart analysis and achievements, and enjoys making posters for these milestones. I’ve stanned TXT since their debut, so it’s really exciting to do this for them. It makes me feel really proud.

TXT Chart Data

A consistent and reliable platform dedicated to providing real-time updates on TXT’s achievements since their debut. Our diverse team includes chart analysts, designers, and content creators who work together to deliver accurate data on charts, sales, awards, and voting updates. In addition to chart tracking, we also share news about TXT and actively promote the group. Our website offers a comprehensive database with verified sources, including key Korean chart platforms, ensuring fans have access to credible and detailed information.

BTS makes us feel seen

Fernanda GS

I have always felt that the way they just speak about stuff gets me. In my life, I have been told that maybe I'm too opinionated, too lazy, not good enough, or too weak because of my mental health. BTS has shown not only me, but the whole world, the unfairness that young people (and especially younger Millennials/Gen Z) have suffered, and the hardships of the world that people expect us to just accept with a smile and move on from. They make us feel seen and not crazy. They make me feel as if it's worth fighting for.

Fernanda GS(Santiago, Chile)

A now journalist that fell in love with BTS when she was just a high schooler.

BTS Chile

News and translations since pre-debut for Chilean and spanish-speaking ARMYs, with a small group of 5 admins that have worked hard to connect fans and artist (now in hiatus).

BTS has embodied the voice of youth

Christine Jean S.

I’ve been personally touched by BTS, and I believe that they have embodied the voice of the youth in our generation. They’ve made me realize that I’m not alone and that many people go through hardships too. They’ve helped me learn that I should believe in myself no matter what, that even if the path is not bright, I should continue to walk that path until I see the flowery path in front of me.

Christine Jean S.(Cheshire, United Kingdom, she/her)

I am an individual who enjoys listening to a lot of music genres, most especially K-pop. I’m also a person who loves to sing, travel and take photos of my scenery. BTS and ARMY have become a 2nd family that I love being involved with. I help out with admin and events for the page when I am available.

UKBTSARMATION

UKBTSARMATION (also known as UKBTSARMY) is a UK-based fan organisation dedicated to building a strong, supportive community for BTS fans across the United Kingdom. Our mission is to keep UK ARMYs informed and engaged with all the latest news, updates, and events related to BTS, through our active presence on social media platforms. Our team is composed of passionate UK ARMYs who contribute their skills across various areas such as social media management, graphic design, video editing, and event organisation. Together, we strive to create meaningful experiences for BTS fans to create friendships ,spread love and support for the group throughout the UK.

TXT is the voice of my generation

Fabrício

I finally realized that TOMORROW X TOGETHER was the voice of my generation during the Fight or Escape era. In 2021 I had some love experiences while I still wanted to be dedicated to my career. That year, I started my first relationship and I also realized that the effort I exerted at my job was the main factor by which I defined myself as a failure or success. In November of that year, when I was busy with a lot of things, I remember I listened to “LO$ER=LO♡ER,” reading the lyrics as I listened. I remember bursting into tears in front of my computer. I was a mess at that time. I hadn’t been dealing with my anxiety and the pressure coming from all sides—from work, family, and college. I couldn’t deal with everything, and I felt like I was putting a big weight on my boyfriend’s back. As I listened to the song, I realized how much I could relate to TXT’s songs, and how other people could also feel the same way, not just with their new songs, but their whole discography.

Fabrício(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22 years old, he/him)

I’m a designer and art director in the brazilian music industry and chart enthusiast. TXT stan since their debut in 2019, in the same time i was discovering more of K-pop music. In TXTChartData, i’m in charge of the visual identity for the profile each comeback and some posters eventually.

TXT Chart Data

TXT are honest and easy to relate to

Marcela

I think one word that I have always associated with TOMORROW X TOGETHER is “reality.” Even if they use The Star Seekers to share a world of fantasy with us, they always include real struggles that eventually will become part of our own individual experiences. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the members didn't shy away from the fact that it was hard to meet MOA, but they still managed to remain strong and adapt to the situation genuinely. That attitude allowed me to remain strong and look for different ways to live in that reality that now had to include quarantine. In short, their honesty and authenticity make it easier to relate to them, and even though I'm not part of Generation Z, I still think that we can all share some experiences.

Marcela

A person who enjoys listening to music and creating joyful connections within the K-pop community.

TXT Voting Crew

A group of MOAs from around the globe who have come together to support TOMORROW X TOGETHER on music shows and year end music award shows through voting.

BTS’s anti-system message is important

Fernanda SC

For me, BTS’s anti-system message has always been important. I believe capitalist societies make us compete with each other all the time. You have to be the best even it means stepping on someone else, you have to go to the best schools or you won't succeed, you have to work for hours non-stop to become better than your colleagues. What kind of existence is that? I like that BTS questions it and focuses on self-love and improving yourself to be better for yourself and not for other people’s expectations.

Fernanda SC(Chile, she/her)

An educator actively working against gender-based violence who grew up with BTS.

BTS Chile

News and translations since pre-debut for Chilean and spanish-speaking ARMYs, with a small group of 5 admins that have worked hard to connect fans and artist (now in hiatus).

SVT's music sways young people’s dreams

Oce

SEVENTEEN has made several music releases with themes revolving around youth. Their work with UNESCO as youth representatives, and the things they’ve said to inspire the youth to never give up on their dreams or get discouraged, are very much in keeping with the SEVENTEEN that I know as a fan of their music. It meant so much to me as a fan that they got to speak in a global forum, and that the message they wanted to convey through their music could actually have an impact on young people’s dreams.

Oce(Philippines, he/him)

A fan who finds joy in music and numbers. I update charts and data about SEVENTEEN. WWC Charts Admin.

Worldwide Carats

International fanbase of K-Pop Powerhouse and Self-Producing group SEVENTEEN. The fanbase consists of Carats from different parts of the world who share a deep love and support for the group.

TXT really speaks to younger people

Daeun

TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s song “Happily Ever After” is about just trying to make your way through life even if it isn’t like a fairy tale. It’s captured in lines like, “Life is not a fairy tale / So what? I rather like it this way,” which really speak to how it feels to live in today’s world. The uncertainty of the future today and not knowing what lies ahead means it’s okay if you miss some opportunities or don’t know exactly where you’re headed, and that’s reassuring. I think TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s songs are like a guiding light for younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, in that way.

Daeun(Seoul, South Korea)

A fan who’s cultivating a fuller life through travel, sports, culture, and art.

BTS is the voice of a young generation

Enny B.

I have always said that BTS are the voice of younger generations, because the experiences they talk about are their own that they’ve had as young men. This is why I think that their lyrics still resonate with other age groups. BTS truly grasps the worries and concerns of all ages and people from different walks of life. The biggest example that comes to mind is the speech Namjoon delivered at the United Nations in 2018. We were able to speak to ourselves as he said and we were able to see our struggles as room to grow and be a better version of ourselves, no matter our skin color or age. I just love how in this fandom there are people of color and people of different gender identities. It's a beautiful thing to see.

Enny B.(London, United Kingdom, she/her)

A singer-songwriter who finds joy in writing music and loves listening to music while also supporting BTS. I help to manage and support the team in all areas of the fanbase .

UKBTSARMATION

SEVENTEEN’s diversity is a strength

Meha

Despite the cultural differences between members, SEVENTEEN is like a family. I think SEVENTEEN’s diversity is one of their biggest strengths. They are also a prime example of how you can find success without leaving anyone behind. SEVENTEEN’s close-knit bond has taught me how to cherish the ones you love more closely. Their relationship exemplifies the strength of friendship and collaboration, encouraging fans to appreciate diversity and build connections beyond borders.

Meha(India, she/her)

I am a researcher at a non-profit, aiming to create real impact. My world is brighter thanks to SEVENTEEN. WWC Editor.

Worldwide Carats

International fanbase of K-Pop Powerhouse and Self-Producing group SEVENTEEN. The fanbase consists of Carats from different parts of the world who share a deep love and support for the group.

LSF are truly respectful of each other

Cha

The fact that they have different cultural backgrounds but have such great chemistry and bond with each other on and off the stage just shows how truly kind and accepting the members of LE SSERAFIM are. It is not easy to get close to other people, especially if they have different opinions because of cultural differences, but the members hitting it off without any great problems is very indicative of how respectful they are of each other.

Cha(she/her)

FEARNOT Philippines

The members of the FEARNOT Philippines first came together when a group of friends wanted to celebrate the most anticipated 1st debut anniversary of LE SSERAFIM. Everyone believed that LE SSERAFIM is such a well loved group and talented group and they deserved to have a fanbase here in the Philippines. Hence, we started FEARNOT Philippines and looked for more Filipino FEARNOTs who share the same passion and love towards LE SSERAFIM that can help us run the fanbase and our events.

SEVENTEEN proves love knows no bounds

Thy

Another value that I learned from SEVENTEEN is that love knows no bounds. As a large group composed of members from different nationalities and cultures, with different personalities, it is nothing short of a miracle that they have a relationship this great. And it is because the members' love for each other is greater than their self-interests that they are always willing to try to understand even when they can't, and to give even when they only have a small amount to give. Watching the members do their best to accommodate each other despite their differences and seeing it work as they've created a beautiful found-family is truly a blessing. Just like the lyrics from “I Don’t Understand But I Luv U,” which say, “Even if I don’t understand different languages and different times, I can still know everything” (다른 언어와 다른 시간도 이해하지 않아도 다 알 수 있어).

Thy(she/her)

Graduating medical student who finds solace and inspiration through music, specifically SEVENTEEN's. WWC Main Admin.

Worldwide Carats

International fanbase of K-Pop Powerhouse and Self-Producing group SEVENTEEN. The fanbase consists of Carats from different parts of the world who share a deep love and support for the group.

Every person in the world is a friend

Arin Shin

I used to think connecting with people who were different from me would be hard, but with SEVENTEEN, they all come from different cultural backgrounds, including Korean, Chinese, and even American in JOSHUA’s case. Even the Korean members all grew up in different environments. But the group members enjoy each other’s cultures and foods while taking the time to understand and respect their differences, and that taught me we can transcend barriers and create connections. In their UN speech, JUN said, “As long as we’re together, I’m not afraid of failure,” and mentioned a saying from his home: “Every person in the world is a friend. Where there is a friend, there is confidence and courage.” SEVENTEEN overcame language and cultural barriers to become one unified group, and I was really touched by JUN’s message, himself a foreigner, about being teachers for each other and sharing with each other to build a better world. Their speech made me hope the younger generations will come together and not give up on their dreams no matter what, and build a world where no one ever has to give up on their dreams.

Arin Shin(South Korea)

I’m searching to broaden the horizons of my world by overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers through K-pop.

There's a language gap but I love them

Lia

It really is true that most of the time we international fans don’t understand anything, not just because of the language but because of cultural differences, but we love the artists anyway. There are a lot of things that are harder to do as a foreign fan, but it’s okay, because artists and labels do their best to make it easy for international fans, and we can feel the effort they put in. SEVENTEEN especially have often shown how much they care about inclusion, for example by using sign language or doing easier TikTok challenges. People struggle to understand each other even with no language barrier, but we should still be able to love everyone.

Lia(Rome, Italia)

I studied western history in college and I'm now working as an employee in Rome.

K-pop helps me be proud of my identity

Soobin

I started in middle school after watching a Girls’ Generation music video, learning at home by myself. At the time, being one of the only Asian girls in Maryland made me feel deeply insecure and out of place, and K-pop helped me to feel proud of my identity and see familiar faces that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise in Western media!

Soobin

A person who finds joy in dance and K-POP.

SEOULA

SEOULA (pronounced Sol-lah, 쏠라): the combination of Seoul (서울) and LA (Los Angeles), two cities that represent our community. We are a creative dance team of students with a special passion for dance and Korean-American pop culture. By connecting with global and diverse audiences through creative outlets like YouTube, we hope to bring together both Korean and American culture through K-pop and open style dance.

I take strength from BTS going abroad

Christine B.

I take with me the strength that the members have in going to strange and different countries, speaking their own language, defining who they are as individuals. I am an American living in the UK. I have been here for 23 years. I struggled being in the UK as an American. When BTS were in the States I saw and understood how it felt not understanding what someone is saying. The different accents and pronunciations. I felt that we, BTS and I, have shared experiences. I gleaned this from every interview they had and gained insight as to how they felt. I was and still am encouraged by the interviews and the way they managed to speak to people that may not have understood what they were saying. I felt a shared experience was just what I needed, even when I didn't know that was what I needed.

Christine B.(Manchester, United Kingdom, she/her)

I love BTS and all of their different personalities knitted together molded as 1. I enjoy being ARMY. I love reading my bible and other historical books. I facilitate a bi-weekly social group for older women and am a bid writer to help groups attain funding.

UKBTSARMATION

What we hear doesn’t change who we are

Fabrício

Being an LGBTQ+ male K-pop fan is something that people loved to make fun of me for in my teenage years. In fact, to this day many say that to like K-pop you should be that age, that it is for children or teenagers. But to be honest, I’m 23 years old now, I have my own home with my boyfriend, I make my own money, I’m comfortable with who I am, and I’m a fan of K-pop artists. So? What does that change about who I am? I think people always want to find a way to feel better about themselves by diminishing other people. Being an adult and maturing makes me know that I don’t have to care about that kind of thing. But I think it’s very important for TOMORROW X TOGETHER to talk about the fanboys too. A lot of them are teenagers or kids that want to support them as artists, and that’s it. What you hear does not change who you are, whether you’re a boy, a girl, nonbinary, he, she, they, etc. When we feel comfortable about who we are, and when we know that what people say says more about who THEY are than who WE are, we know that we don’t have to care and we can just like what we like and that’s that.

Fabrício(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22 years old, he/him)

TXT Chart Data

K-pop has a big impact on my identity

Ellie

K-pop has definitely had a big influence on my creative identity expression. I feel comfortable experimenting with a variety of styles. My main style tends to lean more masculine, and I love how I am not limited to a specific gendered style and can express myself in any way I want through dance. In addition, I think the community feels the same way, since it is common to see females covering boy group dances and males covering girl group dances.

Ellie

A person who finds joy in dance and K-POP.

SEOULA

I learned how to express my human self

Diveesh Singh

As someone who identifies as male, I think it's so important to not let traditional ideas of opposing gender roles limit you as a dancer. Learning to dance to girl group songs in the past has taught me how to not only express my more feminine side as a dancer, but also just as a human. I think way too often, toxic masculinity prevents men from openly exploring their feminine side for fear of being shamed. It felt really good to be able to dance to girl group songs and learn and execute more feminine moves and start to dismantle the notion that “guys shouldn't be feminine.” One of my favorite covers of ours to date is “BLACKPINK - DDU-DU DDU-DU (Male Version),” which we did in 2018, and I'm always so proud to show it to off to my friends and family.

Diveesh Singh

Software engineer by profession, Korean culture enthusiast by choice. Currently living in Korea to further broaden my cultural horizons.

ECLIPSE

K-pop is for everyone

Miguel Francisco

I’ve always believed that a person's ability and character are the sole determining factors in what they are capable of. The K-pop dance cover team has reaffirmed this belief for me. I will leave this question with one of my own. Assuming equal dance ability, why is it traditionally acceptable for girls to dance to songs by male idol groups, but not as accepted when boys dance to songs by female idol groups? K-pop is for everyone.

Miguel Francisco(San Jose, CA, USA, he/him)

I'm a videographer, and filming videos for Eclipse K-pop is how I got started. I also create K-pop mashups on YouTube under the username Miggy Smallz

ECLIPSE

I love to see TXT valuing male fans

Henrique

I feel very happy, from the bottom of my heart, when I see the TOMORROW X TOGETHER boys responding to and valuing male fans. As we know, in general male fans are a minority in K-pop. Some of the time, it feels like it is not for me. When I talk about gender in public with other people, I feel that people in general still pass judgment when someone mentions that they like K-pop, especially for male fans. So when TOMORROW X TOGETHER speaks openly about it, it’s like they are acknowledging that we are also there, that we are also fans and we are there to support them unconditionally.

Henrique(Bahia, Brazil, 22 years old, he/him)

TXT Chart Data

LSF is fearless, taking on challenges

Cha

LE SSERAFIM has been trying to break free from the typical discourse about women, and they have been showing that they’re fearless to take on the challenges that they may face as they go through this. For me, this shows that we can be free and do whatever we want and unshackle ourselves from the constraints that society tries to place on us. We are each our own person, we draw our own paths, we will not let prejudice stop us from doing what we want to do and being who we want to be.

Cha(she/her)

FEARNOT Philippines

Racism toward BTS made me take a stand

Javiera RV

Seeing people you love get hurt is a very painful experience. Seeing how BTS experienced racism just for being Asian or being a K-pop group made me want to do something to help. I think that’s also why other fans get interested in social issues. Be it discrimination for your gender identity, your sexuality, the color of your skin, your religion, etc., it’s very painful to see someone get hurt.

In terms of social issues and fighting for equal rights, as Chilean BTS fanbase we have donated to many causes, including LGBTQIA causes, and have used our platform to call out inequities and educate people in any way we can.

A few years ago, a TV show made a very racist depiction of the BTS members, which we denounced on our social media, explaining why it was wrong. That action became a viral post that sparked conversation on a nationwide level. It was even published in newspapers and talked about on TV. A lot of people realized they might have been inadvertently hurting others by normalizing racist behavior. The fact that we were able to shine light on the existent discrimination towards Asians in the country was our way of fighting through our means. Some people in the Korean-Chilean community thanked us later for our post, saying it helped them feel supported. Even if we have been able to help only one person through that action, I think it was very important. And I think seeing BTS themselves fight has shaped us as individuals, and as a fandom, to pay attention to social issues and support social causes. BTS has talked about this before, even at the United Nations, so no one can turn a blind eye and pretend these things don’t happen. It’s important we put a stop to them in any way we can.

Javiera RV(Chile, she/her)

A school librarian that enjoys art and has a brighter life thanks to BTS.

BTS Chile

News and translations since pre-debut for Chilean and spanish-speaking ARMYs, with a small group of 5 admins that have worked hard to connect fans and artist (now in hiatus).

Fans bond raising money for charity

Fernanda SC

Raising money for a charity is also a bonding opportunity for fans, which also shows how being a fan doesn’t alienate you from reality. If BTS can see that we have a commitment to social causes, it can be impactful for them as well.

Fernanda SC(Chile, she/her)

An educator actively working against gender-based violence who grew up with BTS.

BTS Chile

News and translations since pre-debut for Chilean and spanish-speaking ARMYs, with a small group of 5 admins that have worked hard to connect fans and artist (now in hiatus).

"I know now why you love them so much."

Thy

Being a youth advocate myself, seeing the people that I love speak up for the things that I hold dear is really out of this world. Once we were on a medical mission to treat kids from very rural areas during the whole week when SEVENTEEN was at the UNESCO forum. A senior doctor who knew that I was a CARAT showed me some of the clips of SEVENTEEN's speech, and told me, “I think I know now why you love them so much.” After that, I was just bawling my eyes out. Almost all of the staff in the area watched the whole thing with us in the tent at night. My heart was full, seeing and hearing everyone watch and say all those good things about SEVENTEEN. Seeing SEVENTEEN at UNESCO didn't just bring me happiness, it also inspired the people around me to continue doing what we do to make this world a better place for all the children.

Thy(she/her)

Graduating medical student who finds solace and inspiration through music, specifically SEVENTEEN's. WWC Main Admin.

Worldwide Carats

International fanbase of K-Pop Powerhouse and Self-Producing group SEVENTEEN. The fanbase consists of Carats from different parts of the world who share a deep love and support for the group.

It was really nice to see SVT's speech

Lia

I didn’t know about SEVENTEEN’s donation programs, so it was really nice to see how many good deeds they’ve been doing. I think JUN’s and JOSHUA’s speeches were the most memorable to me. I spend a lot of time with second-generation immigrant kids as volunteer work, and I can say that everything they said in their speeches applies to those kids’ lives. For example, it’s much easier to know the language and culture of another country if you have friends—there’s no motivation to adapt to other cultures if you’re isolated or treated badly. I can also see how much kids who don’t have access to proper education suffer, because they think they’re worth less than others. Knowing that they decided to support children’s rights makes me feel relieved.

Lia(Rome, Italia)

I studied western history in college and I'm now working as an employee in Rome.

It starts with something small

Garam Kim

CARAT likes to call VERNON a polar bear, and one time, a fan posted on social media that we should turn our attention to real polar bears too, since VERNON’s one. After I saw that, I sold eco-friendly soap with my middle-school friends and donated the proceeds to the WWF. I tried to put that into practice in small ways, like making a small donation to ChildFund Korea after HOSHI donated to kids from low-income families, and donating for disability activism when people were talking about the disabled seats at concerts. I’m a little embarrassed about how small it seems, but it starts with something small. That’s why I think small chances to make a difference matter.

Garam Kim(South Korea)

I am a university student who also teaches. I believe kind words can change the world.

K-POP

WORLD