Boston College Global Korea Project Presents...

Event description

In recent years, there has been a surge of powerful civic movements worldwide, each with unique methods. In the US, movements such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) have utilized social media storms, public rallies, and even direct action to demand racial and social justice. These movements highlight urgent, often confrontational, approaches to seemingly systemic issues.

In South Korea, the 2016–17 Candlelight Protests became one of the most powerful examples of peaceful, youth-driven democracy in the world. Millions of Koreans, especially young people, gathered at Gwanghwamun Square holding candles that symbolized solidarity, hope, and civic voice to demand accountability from their government. Since then, a new generation has continued to find ways to express political identity, often blending pop culture, fandom practices, and online activism. For instance, emerging K-pop fandoms have raised money for social causes, flooded online spaces to counter hate speech, and even used K-pop lightsticks as a modern form of civic expression.

Taking these events into consideration, this student-led discussion seeks to ask: How do styles in protest methods differ, and how have they evolved? What could be the broader implications of such comparisons for the future of political engagement, cynicism, and expression?

Sponsors and Co-Sponsors

This Global Korea Project event is sponsored by the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office and the Institute for the Liberal Arts, and it is co-sponsored by the International Studies Program.