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K-pop Fandoms and Protest Culture

Joseph Hwang In the 1980s, South Korea achieved democracy through a constitutional amendment that allowed direct presidential elections in response to civil resistance against military rule. This constitutional shift came at a significant cost, with ordinary citizens sacrificing their lives so that future generations could establish a nation grounded in their cherished values. Today, the older generation of South Koreans plays a pivotal role in this democratic legacy, as the freedoms and values they fought for have nurtured the global rise of K-pop. For this generation, protests are ingrained in their culture, yet they believe such actions should not be necessary. The term “martial law” is particularly sensitive for them, as they are acutely aware of the oppressive military dictatorships in South Korea’s history, where it was a tool for controlling dissent. Just hearing the phrase triggers memories of the violence that occurred during pro-democracy protests. However, on December 3, 202...
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Posted by Joseph Hwang

G-Dragon has been appointed as a visiting professor at KAIST

Joseph Hwang


Soon after a South Korean media outlet reported that G-Dragon, real name Kwon Ji-Yong, a member of the K-pop group Big Bang, had become a visiting professor at KAIST’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, the department’s official website went down and could not be accessed. This shows how much the general public is interested in the activities of K-pop artists.


◈ What is KAIST?


KAIST is a science and technology university in South Korea, consisting of 5 colleges, 7 schools, 13 graduate schools, and 27 departments, located in Daejeon City, middle district of South Korea. It was founded in 1971 to educate outstanding scientists and engineers, similar to the position familiar to MIT in the USA. KAIST now studies and researches the convergence of science, technology, art, entertainment, intellectual property, and humanities using AI technology. At the center of it all is President Lee Kwang-hyung. 


◈ Why did KAIST hire G-Dragon as a professor?


The influence of KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung is mainly responsible for this.


President Lee Kwang-hyung has been called a geek since he was a professor. He often tried breaking stereotypes and was consistently recognized as unique. After becoming president, he said he would work hard to attract donations to KAIST because the university needed more money than anything else to conduct research and develop technology. For example, he also brought in world-renowned Koreans such as world-class soprano Sumi Jo, whom Herbert von Karajan called “the voice of God,” as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Culture and Technology, and recently awarded her an honorary doctorate and named a concert hall after her. In doing so, President Lee Kwang-hyung is trying to achieve several effects. It is a publicity stunt for the school and a way to attract experts for convergent academic research. In this situation, recruiting a world-renowned K-pop artist could be an excellent strategic decision.


◈ What will G-Dragon do at KAIST in the future?


G-Dragon’s appointment as a professor will be for two years, starting June 4 and ending June 2026. G-Dragon will also be appointed as a KAIST Global Ambassador, helping to strengthen KAIST’s overseas promotion.


According to his management company, Galaxy Corporation, G-Dragon said, “I am honored to be a visiting professor at KAIST, which produces many scientific geniuses. “I look forward to the great enhanced effect or ‘big bang (Big Bang)’ that will occur when the best science and technology experts and my entertainment expertise meet,” he said.


“Many people are working with artificial intelligence in the music field, and this cutting-edge technology enables more diverse forms of creative work,” he said. “Through the AI avatar developed by Galaxy Corporation and KAIST, I hope to communicate more closely with my fans worldwide, whom I don’t often get to meet.”


Galaxy Corporation will also conduct joint research with KAIST to apply various technologies to art and cultural content. It will establish the “KAIST-Galaxy Corporation Entertech* Research Center (tentative name)” in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and conduct research on digital twin technology for Hallyu artists, starting with G-Dragon himself; research on the convergence of K-culture and science and technology such as artificial intelligence, robots, and metaverse; and the development of differentiated artist avatars using the latest technologies such as volumetric, motion capture, and haptics.


* “Entertech” is a combination of entertainment and technology and refers to an industry that creates new added value by combining ICT with IP and content, which are the core values of entertainment.


** References and quotations:

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-06-05/business/industry/Big-Bang-theory-GDragon-appointed-as-visiting-professor-at-KAIST/2062100

https://kaist.ac.kr/en/html/kaist/01.html#0118

https://kaist.ac.kr/en/html/kaist/011701.html

https://www.chosun.com/national/weekend/2022/04/30/LBHZPEH7YRFTFIC3KU7GFEJVLU/

https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25229767#home

https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1007673281&plink=SHARE&cooper=COPY

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