Protest Trucks

In the K-Pop fandom, it has become common practice for dissatisfied fans to rent LED trucks, referred to as "protest trucks." These vehicles will circle the headquarters of an entertainment agency, persistently advertising fans' demands. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/01/19/culture/gamesWebtoons/Netmarble-truck-protest/20210119181100636.html This practice is relatively affordable and accessible for fans, owing to its popularity. In 2023, it was reported that one could rent one of these trucks at a rate of about $220 (USD) per day.https://www.businessinsider.com/kpop-fans-protest-truck-removal-female-backup-dancers-enhypen-korea-2023-5https://www.reddit.com/r/kpopthoughts/comments/15ch5x1/i_found_out_it_costs_about_220_a_day_to_rent_a/
== History ==
It is unclear when protest trucks first came into use by fans of k-pop. Comments on reddit suggest that the practice may have been started by the fandom of BlackPink (who debuted in 2016).https://www.reddit.com/r/kpopthoughts/comments/m341qz/what_is_with_kpop_stans_and_sending_trucks_to/ An article from Korea JoongAng Daily backs up this claim, noting that 2019 saw the emergence of protest trucks utilized by k-pop fans, a practice spearheaded by BlackPink's fandom.
Around 2020, one fan recalled that trucks were sent in protest of the disbandment of the group X1 in 2019. 
In 2023, one fan commented on the state of protest trucks utilized by kpop fans:Both Korean fans and international fans can arrange for protest trucks. For instance, Chinese fans of the groups Twice, aespa, and BlackPink have organized protest trucks in the past.https://kbizoom.com/the-difference-in-how-kpop-fans-use-protest-trucks/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3127637/blackpinks-protest-trucks-have-k-pop-fans-gone-too-far Moreover, Mexican (and more broadly Latin American) fans of the group Riize sent protest trucks to SM Entertainment in 2024 in response to the removal of member Seunghan from the group.https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/riizes-international-fans-send-support-trucks-and-launch-projects-for-seunghan-following-his-withdrawal-from-group-1353576 One of the messages read, "International fans spend money too."
LED trucks as a form of protest also see wider use in South Korea outside of k-pop fandom. Korea JoongAng Daily reported in 2021 that the prevalence of these trucks connects to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A representative from a company that handles truck rentals is quoted as saying, "Fans had a message to deliver to the entertainment companies but they found it was safer and more convenient to send trucks to do the job — because the trucks only drive around, which means no one has to file for protests to the police or be there in cold weather.” 
== Motivations ==
Motivations for the use of protest trucks vary between specific circumstances and fandoms. These can include: 
* Criticizing actions of idols 
* Demanding idols be removed from their group https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/6-times-k-pop-fandoms-organized-protest-truck-demonstrations-enhypen-s-bite-me-controversy-exo-ot6-demand https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-maintain-exo-s-ot6-system-korean-exo-ls-demand-removal-chen-chanyeol-send-protest-trucks-sm-entertainment https://www.koreaboo.com/news/korean-exo-fans-protest-truck-exo-six-members-chanyeol-chen-remove/
* Demanding better treatment and promotion for artists https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240424050808 https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3127637/blackpinks-protest-trucks-have-k-pop-fans-gone-too-far https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/10/398_373371.html
* Protesting an idol's dismissal from a group https://www.koreaboo.com/news/fans-book-whopping-28-trucks-protest-seunghans-return-riize/ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/k-pop/music/news/fans-send-protest-trucks-to-jyp-demanding-the-exit-of-stray-kids-hyunjin/articleshow/108489394.cms
* Pressuring companies to change event venues 
* Advocating for more comebacks for groups 
* Showing support for idols and their activities https://www.koreaboo.com/news/exo-cbx-chen-baekhyun-xiumin-sm-entertainment-fans-protest-truck/
* Seeking transparent award show nomination processes
* Requesting legal action be taken concerning the spread of defamatory claims 
== Response ==
=== Fan Response ===
Despite the popularity of protest trucks, many fans argue about their efficacy. https://www.reddit.com/r/kpopthoughts/comments/15cbuc6/what_are_your_thoughts_on_protest_truck/ Some fans maintain that refusing to buy merchandise and stream music would have a better chance of causing change than any truck.
Fans will also sometimes hotly contest the reason the trucks are sent. While reactions may be mixed, the sheer number of these trucks seem to indicate a wide base of support. 
=== Industry Response ===
Protest trucks have been cited as powerful tools for fan advocacy with a potential to make substantial changes to the industry. Though, it is difficult to quantify what exactly this impact has been. 
An anonymous "insider" from a company that received protest trucks was quoted as saying, “Having trucks drive around definitely has an impact on us on many levels... People near our company who didn’t exactly know what was going on became aware and even our own staff — or worse, people higher up — asked the related teams what’s going on. If the CEO or others become aware, then it gets serious for us.”
Staffers from entertainment companies have also pointed out that it is simply not feasible for them to respond to the high number of fan demands exhibited through actions such as protest trucks.https://www.koreaboo.com/stories/do-kpop-companies-think-truck-protests/ Others in the industry have a more positive outlook, seeing this as an indication that companies now must work with fans.
Kpop artists themselves have also occasionally commented on protest trucks. For instance, in 2024, Wendy Shon of Red Velvet requested that fans stop sending trucks.https://kpopsource.com/threads/wendy-speaks-on-protest-trucks-outside-sm.173133/ According to Shon, Red Velvet did not need the trucks as the members could advocate for themselves after a decade in the industry.
== References ==
Category:K-Pop Fandom Glossary