K-Pop fans unite and drown out white supremacist hashtag

K-Pop fans have (momentarily) taken over the title of the internet’s ultimate disruptors, banding together to completely destroy a hashtag used by white supremacist groups. Leveraging their massive social media presence, fans of Korean pop music united online on June 3 to bury racist messages being shared by white supremacists by taking over one of the hashtags frequently used by hate groups.The K-pop bloc began using #Whitelivesmatter in their posts, attaching it to anti-racist messages or using it in posts that were absurdist or inane (think: videos of their favourite boy groups and fancam embeds). The posts were so huge in number that the music fans managed to overtake the original messages attached to the hateful hashtag.

For those wondering kpop stans DID NOT start this tag. We just took it over to drown out the racists. #WhiteLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/TOI524BWbD

— Thalía (@JohnnySeoiscute) June 3, 2020

The fact that the hashtag was trending on Twitter did cause some initial confusion, but once users caught on to how the hashtag was being co-opted, they began sharing their own delighted reactions.

#WhiteLivesMatter ?

When I saw When I foundIt trending. Out why pic.twitter.com/LMzMvsZaSW— baby. (@girl_kaybee) June 3, 2020

Kpop stans coming through with the come through. Blessings ❤️??

— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) June 3, 2020

The strategy demonstrates not only the power of certain groups on social media, but also how important messages can be inadvertently drowned out, too.Earlier this week, the record industry launched #BlackoutTuesday led by organizers Brianna Agyemang and Jamila Thomas. When Instagram and Twitter users joined in, some used the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter instead, unintentionally blocking access to crucial information that protesters use to stay safe and informed.The lesson here? Hashtags matter and K-pop fans are not to be underestimated.[video_embed id='1969889']RELATED: Celebrities around the world support #BlackOutTuesday[/video_embed]