Os reflexos da cultura participativa no ativismo dos fãs de k-pop nas manifestações políticas da Coreia do Sul em dezembro de 2024

Abstract

This study analyzes the activism of K-pop fans during the December 2024 political crisis in South Korea, exploring the intersection between fan culture, solidarity and political engagement. The overall aim of the research is to understand how K-pop fandoms mobilized to participate in the protests, using cultural and media practices as a form of resistance. To this end, a qualitative, exploratory approach was adopted, based on an adaptation of the documentary analysis proposed by Cellard (2012). Various sources were analyzed, such as news, journalistic articles, reports from protesters, posts on social networks and materials produced by fans, such as fancams. The analysis followed the steps of selecting, organizing, categorizing and interpreting the data, focusing on the thematic axes of fan culture, solidarity and political engagement. The results show that K-pop fandoms played a central role in the protests, using cultural symbols such as lightsticks and K-pop songs to create an atmosphere of unity and hope, as well as promoting coordinated actions in both physical and digital spaces. It is concluded that the activism of these fans reflects a participatory culture that transcends entertainment, becoming a powerful tool for social and political mobilization. This study contributes to the field of Librarianship by broadening the understanding of contemporary informational and cultural practices, highlighting the relevance of fandoms as agents of change in political and social contexts.