The K-pop fans who have set an example of fandom power across the world are going to join forces to boycott major K-pop labels also known as The Big 4. This boycott will affect the sales and streaming of established artists including BTS, SEVENTEEN, TWICE, aespa, NCT, BLACKPINK, NewJeans, RIIZE, and TWS. Read ahead to find out more about the cause and netizens’ reactions.
K-pop fans announce Big 4 Boycott including major artists
The fans of artists from HYBE, JYP, SM, and YG Entertainment have announced a global strike where they will temporarily stop purchasing merchandise and refrain from streaming, watching, and buying their music and other content.
More detailed explanation on what #StrikeAgainstThe4 is, also its purpose & benefits! Please Spread ๐ https://t.co/LVa19NOXV0 pic.twitter.com/gec5qm5fZy
— jasz ์์ค is streaming level (@tyunphd) January 22, 2024
The purpose behind these strong measures is to make the trendsetting agencies cut their professional ties with global corporations that have supported and/or donated large sums to Israel, such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Papa John’s Dominoz Pizza, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dior, HP, and Starbucks.
“In solidarity with the citizens of Palestine, we have declared a strike against the big four corporations,” their official poster states. Further highlighting that this strike is to stop the companies from using the allegedly Zionist brands and also educate their artists about the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The supporters of the strike will stop listening to any music or buying merch such as albums, clothing, and streaming content from January 23, 2024, to January 28, 2024. They have also asked the fans to stop engaging with the artists’ posts and official content.
Which artists will be affected by this strike?
All the artists managed by HYBE, JYP, SM, and YG Entertainment will be temporarily affected by this strike. The list on the official poster includes BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, &TEAM, Fromis_9, BOYNEXTDOOR, and TWS from HYBE.
Stray Kids, TWICE, ITZY, NMIXX, NiZiU, VCHA, BOY STORY, DAY6, XDINARY HEROS, and 2 PM from JYP Entertainment. It also includes NCT, WAYV, aespa, RIIZE, Red Velvet, EXO, SHINee, Girl’s Generation, F(x), Boa, Super Junior, and TVXQ from SM Entertainment.
Lastly, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, TREASURE, WINNER, iKON, 2NE1, BABYMONSTER, and AKMU from YG Entertainment. The new detailed poster clarifies that the fans are not being urged to permanently stop listening to the artists but to refrain until the companies realize the issue.
Netizens reactions to #StrikeAgainstThe4
The strike officially began on the morning of Tuesday according to Korean Standard Time and many fans have gathered under the official hashtag to announce their support and encourage others.
I will be participating in the #StrikeAgainstThe4 Movement and I am also encouraging my fellow FEARNOTs to do the same.
๐๏ธ 1/23 (TUE) to 1/28 (SUN)#HYBEDivestFromZionism #ํ์ด๋ธ์์ค๋์คํธ๋ฅผ์ ๊ฑฐํ๋ค pic.twitter.com/RHGFNEvzzb
— joe (@elsserafim) January 23, 2024
gather around strikers this is your list for day 1 of the #StrikeAgainstThe4
I will make a playlist every night for the following day ๐ซถ๐ผ https://t.co/vejA8Kdy50— cheriโท ๐ป (@jinsjiddies) January 23, 2024
#StrikeAgainstThe4 proof that this boycott isn't just "a few people" we WILL make an impact pic.twitter.com/iMohV4S43w
— bella – strike week๐๐๐ (@seung_swiftie) January 22, 2024
Some of the fans are sharing playlists including Palestinian artists to stream instead of the songs from their favorite artists. They have also shared that although this is a small effort compared to the scale of the actual event in Gaza; they wish to contribute and spread awareness in every way possible.
However, the strike is also receiving criticism from some netizens who believe that this is a lost effort. They have criticized the timing of the strike which is being held during a week when none of the major artists are going to release any music or merchandise.
None of the Big 4 labels or the K-pop artists have addressed the boycott yet.
