ABC’s Derek Laffan presented a paper at the “BTS: A Global Interdisciplinary Conference” at Kingston University in London, UK.

BTS are a K-Pop (Korean Pop Culture) boy band and are the biggest K-Pop band in the world at present. BTS are also known for their association with UNICEF and their work on the “#ENDViolence in Schools” campaign which includes eradicating bullying. BTS have been known to apply positive messages such as their “Love Myself” campaign messaging to promote positive wellbeing and pro-social behaviour in schools among children and adolescents.

Derek’s paper was entitled: “Hallyu! I’m a K-Pop fan: The psychosocial role of K-Pop fanship” and it was well received. He represented his research previously conducted at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and again for ABC when Anti-Bullying was discussed as a conference theme.

ABC has always valued the role of the arts and culture to communicate antibullying messages. It is important to seek innovative ways to reach audiences who are at risk of bullying and cyberbullying involvement so as to prevent toxic bullying and its related behaviour.

The conference was held on the 4th and 5th of January this year.