www.allkpop.com
There’s an article I just got word of on www.allkpop.com a popular Korean Pop Culture site about me and my fellow soldier of light… Siwon Choi (Super Junior) read here. Just fyi I have been mentoring and ministering to Korean pop artists & media executives in that industry for the last past year. I can’t necessarily get into details, but I realized that God had called me into this movement about a year ago ever since there was a rise of celebrity suicides in 2008.
I will share the entire encounter some other time of how God sent me into Korea pop culture to spread His love and light to those in this influential industry. For those of you who do not follow KPOP culture… it is quite an amazing phenomenon. I call Seoul, Korea the new Hollywood of Asia in this decade… in the 80’s you had Hong Kong canto pop culture, in the 90’s you had JPOP or Japanese Pop culture arise, but in the millennium… most definitely Korean Pop Culture has taken center stage in influencing popular youth culture across Asia. From Korean Dramas (those ones that your mom and sisters are addicted to and cry daily from watching) to KPOP music which in my opinion is the most progressive and of excellence in production. But what is most fascinating is the die hard fan following phenomenon of Koreans that I have witnessed. The FANS ARE CRAZY… I mean they really worship and idolize celebrities and artists to a whole new level… they follow on twitter, they buy tickets months in advance, they vote, follow, emulate and support their every move, action and lifestyle…
What does this equate to me? Well, these pop artists are all in a major position to influence others for either the better or worst. My heart is to help each of these pop artists realize they are not just celebrities, but they are social role models. That each of them have been given a platform for a greater purpose. That the lives they live will influence the next generation and that they play a crucial role in shaping their values, beliefs and behavior. That it’s not about us, but it’s about God… its about being a light, being everything God created us to be to inspire others to live for something greater than themselves…
Many kpop artists like Siwon, my friends Tiffany and Sooyoung from SNSD, MC Mong, Brian Joo, Jinu Sean (Sean), Tim, and many others I won’t name that I pray for and support realize they are not just artists, but they are inspirations… they are servants of Christ first, Entertainers Second. And as they follow Christ and imitate His likeness, others will do the same and make this world a happier and brighter place :) Hence, SOLDIERS OF LIGHT who fight for God’s kingdom on earth, not mans. Also remember no one is perfect, so please give grace when everyone of us do make mistakes… especially artists who face so many human pressures and expectations. We need to realize Christianity is not so much a religion as it is a relationship with a loving God who loves us as we are, not how perfect we are. This is why we need grace…^^ Pray for the artists and entertainers in kpop culture to know God, to make Him known and to be protected from the love of this world as they do God’s will…
ps. I never listened to kpop music before till I started ministering there…and I must say, it’s pretty dang addicting :) my current track I can’t stop listening too… 2NE1 “I Don’t Care” haha… super dope!
siwon choi... SOLDIER OF LIGHT!! SOL!
ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY IN CHRIST! HAPPY IN GOD!
Servants of God First, Entertainers Second
31 Responses to “RISE OF KPOP – JMA & SIWON ON ALLKPOP.COM”
Questions? Comments! Ask Jaeson.
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Tiffany is such a sweetheart ^^
God Bless You Jaeson!
I agree with you on that. I’m a big kpop fan myself, and i have to say that these artists can have a huge influence on today’s generation. Just look at how Tiffany’s frequent visits to Soshified, SNSD’s international fan forum, blesses and influences so many fans. The Bible verses that she leaves and how she tells us that she’s always praying for us fans and for her members inspire all the fans, even if they are not Christians. I was surprised and blessed to know that her words and actions inspire and influence many. Tell her that the next time you see her or talk with her!
God bless you, brother. =) You’re such a blessing.
I totally agree with u, as myself, i am also a big fan of the kpop world, when anti fans comments on the idols, they feel depress, and i am sure that they recover because of god, god gives them energy to face problems, like SNSD, they got anti by some anti fans in 2008 dream concert. I think they feel really sad, but as they think, god will always be with them, no matter what they did wrong or any misunderstanding from fans. They always do their best. Si won oppa is a good model for christian, he always feels happy, and he is also very nice and gentle, that’s what god wants as to be, no matter what’s happen, god will be with as, helping as to solve our problem, or share our happeniess.
i believe God answers prayers. As an avid k-popper, it breaks my heart to see the suicides and how entertainers are so pressured from all sides. Somehow God answered my prayers through knowing that you are involved in this ministry and I thank God for that!
All glory to God! Hallelujah!
May God bless you.
yes. God definitely opens up opportunies like this to reach out to people all over the world. May God’s glory shine through each performance and show they are on.
Jaeson, I have been praying for these entertainers for 3 years and I’m glad that another brother is there encouraging them on. :)
I totally agree with u, as myself, i am also a big fan of the kpop world, when anti fans comments on the idols, they feel depress, and i am sure that they recover because of god, god gives them energy to face problems, like SNSD, they got anti by some anti fans in 2008 dream concert. I think they feel really sad, but as they think, god will always be with them, no matter what they did wrong or any misunderstanding from fans. They always do their best. Si won oppa is a good model for christian, he always feels happy, and he is also very nice and gentle, that’s what god wants as to be, no matter what’s happen, god will be with as, helping as to solve our problem, or share our happeniess.
I’ve been thinking and praying the exact same thing these days. Craziness.
Let’s turn this Korean Hollywood into Holywood. :)
hi jeason ,, i ‘ve just read the article about you and siwon in allkpop.. ang i google-ed your name and i found this web. i thought only me who is not korean who think that Kpop fans bit freak. i am not really a fan of KPOP because i don’t like Lipsync and always be sexy image.
but i am a biggest fan of Korean Drama & Movie. the reason my country’s Drama and Film + actor Totally pathetic indeed!!.
i feel sorry with those entertainers actress and actors. Dating means forbidden heheheh..and being celebrity in korea = being perfect. i feel bad for my fave actors in korea.
but i am so envy with Korea about how proud they are with their People. i am from South east asia where People here like Mix western celebrities. i hate them i think non mix people Whole better.
It makes me so happy to see this!
I’m a KPOP fan and I love to see artists show their faith in GOD openly.
This blesses me so much. ^-^
i see that you live in la?
do you know of someone named park jaebeom, or jay park?
he’s from the group 2pm and its a huge issue right now in korea.
about 5 years ago, he wrote on his myspace that he hated korea and how korea is gay and it was found by an anit fan.
on september 8, he left the group 2pm and he left korea.
he lives in seattle and i see that you live in la?
can you please pray for him?
he’s going through a very hard time and maybe you can even meet up with him up in seattle?
you can read more about this controversy on many sites.
thank you.
oh, i forgot to say that the comments were before he got used to the culture of korea.
you know, he grew up on the streets of seattle bboying and rapping, you know, badboy.
and he came to korea and he didn’t know the culture at all. he was having a hard time.
he’s changed now, but the things he said 5 years ago were made in public, and netizens even made suicude petitions and they drove him out of korea.
he goes to a church called seattle glory presbyterian church.
maybe you can go up there and speak to the youth group?
and you can probably see jay there and talk to him.
you can get his life back on track.
after he left, a lot of people who have been pointing fingers at him starting asking themselves if he really did anything wrong.
they all started to feel bad, you know?
now, it’s really up to him to return or not.
he’s too ambarassed and shy to get up on that stage and perform because he knows that he hurt a lot of people with those words.
please talk to him about forgiveness and not giving up, and staying strong even through the tought times
tell him that god has given himna opportunity to get closer to god and i hope he gets back on his feet and come to korea
read about jay here
http://www.kome-world.com/us/news-7922.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/11/178_51463.html
this is a video of the president of his company and he finally speaks up about the issue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u9QOeV6TWM
the reason why he came to korea wasto become a singer.
he didnt want to go to college, and he thought the fastest way to earn money for his family was to become a singer and celebrity.
he didn’t know the korean language, wasn’t used to the food, and he didn’t know anyone in korea.
after some years passed, he started opening up, becoming friends with his fellow trainees, and he began to change.
from a cold and lonely kid, he became a guy who cared for the trainees, the staff of jyp, and he finally debuted as the leader of 2pm.
the comments he made on myspace were when he first came to korea, a foreign country to him. now, he said on this show that he loves this country now and he’s proud to be a korean.
however, after those comments were revealed, in 4 days, he gave up everything and flew back home.
This is for mimim #9…
Your words seem a bit ignorant. Kpop is not about just lip-sync and sexy image. You can choose who you listen to, you know. There are many great artists as well outside of these great everyday common ‘idols’. =/
Jaesonm, well, I thank you for your prayers and thoughts on Kpop. I wont deny the obessesity on it with young adults. Its music has been raising, not just in that country but rapidly influenced the kids in the west coast as well. I wouldnt blame the industry itself. Doesnt the core problem start with country & government alone…? Until the country as a whole can accept, change, and allow, everything else under it will not. =/ Its a long cultural debate turning political which I dont want to waste too much time on.
Thanks for your prayers again. I’ll keep you in mine’s as well.
@Chelsea
In regards to Jaebeom, as the latest victim of media/netizen scandal he probably needs all the prayer he can get. And we don’t need anymore casualties in KPOPland.
But however painful, I believe his situation is an amazing one loaded with great opportunity, should the Lord use him for his good purposes.
So let us keep praying! God will redeem all things in His good time.
aaah sooyoung-ah! i always knew there’s a reason why i like her so much. people of strong faith amaze me. regardless of any religion. i believe that religion is not the way to salvation, it’s FAITH in God and being a good example in living in harmony with all other creatures in this world.
People like you give me strength and help keep my faith intact. ;) Thank you.
please please please pray for jaebeom.
Thank God for you, Jaeson! (:
I’m starting to see a slow change in the Kpop industry, celebrities are starting to show their love for God! Top idols Girls’ Generation, Siwon from Super Junior, they influence so many around the world. I’m really hoping to see lesser celebrity suicides, and on a larger scale, MUCH LESSER cyber bullying, which is so evident amongst the youth in Korea, i.e. Vicious remarks about a celebrity, the suicide petition and threats for Jay Park.
As celebrities, they are ALWAYS open to negative and sometimes, vicious remarks with ill-intent. The strong existence of anti fanclubs scares me! Not only celebrities, but I’ve read about cases where girls become depressed or attempt suicide after having an encounter with a celebrity and it is known by other fans in the same fanclub. Or things like booking tickets for a particular artist’s concert and then not turning up for it.
I’m really glad you’re ministering in Korea, and I really believe that the celebrities can make a difference ;) As a Kpop lover myself, I know some of the ugly things that happens among fans, and how not only fans but celebrities get hurt. It would be awesome that you speak to troubled celebrities, and help them hold onto Jesus’ hand, not seeing the world and things through their own eyes but through God’s eyes, and learn to trust God for everything!!
I just found out about your blog recently and I think I’m going to follow you often :D Thanks for your inspiring blog entries!!! GOD BLESS YOU (:
@ Chelsea,
JayBum will be alright. ^^ Everyone just needs time and right now, he just feels he need time to regain strength and courage again. And I know God is watching and aiding over him. You’re right, he does attend that church. I’ve been to that church during youth sessions.
I totally agree what Jaeson said! Korea really rock a lot of Malaysian yongster. they’re total freak for them..tvsq especially… pray that my friends all know God through them..aka! aka! fighting!!GOD＋kpop rules asia!!
hi! love this article. may i please post this in my facebook?
sorry.. i can’t wait for your reply..hehe i posted it already..anyway, why is everyone’s comment about jaebeom? :D
I believe God led me to this site at this time to read this writing.
Thank you Jaeson for being who you are in Christ ^^.
just a note…..I’m a SNSD fan myself……hahahaha ;)
God Bless!
I think it’s a great idea to help celebrities realize they are icons that can use their influence to make an impact on their fans to push them in the direction to make them “better” people.
I’m not a Christian, so I think the purpose to influence people through strong religious undertones can be good, but i also think it’s a step in a different direction from doing good for the sake of doing good.
I really feel grateful that Siwon oppa is being friend with you:) The reason why I’m a big fan of him is not becoz of his looks but more becoz of his big faith in God. I know if I told other ppl about this, they wouldn’t believe me. But really….there are many other guys who are as good looking as him, as nice as him, have good personality like him, but he was the first artist that I think has a really big faith in God. I really admire him, how he always tries to do everything in God. Sometimes made myself even more embarassed to myself becoz I couldn’t do more for God.
I agree with what you’ve said in this post.. The world has changed, but I hope our faith in God would never be changed.
Keep doing a good job for God and God bless you :)
May God Bless You always! You truly are a beautiful person.