[Photos &] K-Culture and K-Pop Fandom Rock Colombia’s Election Campaign: Left-Wing Candidate’s “OPPA” and “I Love You” Strategy

An Unexpected Gamble That Shook Colombia’s Presidential Race, Blurring the Lines Between Politics and Culture

On the modern political stage, “image making” is not just packaging—it is the core mechanism of power. Ahead of the June 21 runoff vote, Colombia’s presidential race is seeing an extraordinary shift. The left camp’s reversal card is none other than South Korea’s “K-culture.” After overcoming weak first-round results, his move to focus directly on young voters is nothing short of bold. His promotional materials borrow the distinctive pastel-toned backgrounds of K-dramas and heart filters. They delivered a fresh jolt to conservative politics across Latin America and quickly captured voters’ attention.

The power of “soft power”, which dominates the South American continent, is beyond imagination. Korean content that has taken over Netflix, along with the global sensations “BTS” and “BLACKPINK,” has already taken root as mainstream culture in Colombia. Seeing this clearly, the Cepeda camp proposed a new paradigm of “fandom politics.” An experienced politician in his 60s draws the Korean-style “finger heart” at campaign rallies, while social media is awash with Hangul phrases such as “OPPA” and “I love you.” This is not mere imitation—it is a sophisticated act of political engagement that borrows the cultural language of Millennials and Generation Z.

The most noteworthy aspect is the public’s voluntary, organized solidarity. The “K-Pop fan movement for a historical treaty”, a support group for Cepeda, produces “short-form videos” by layering weighty policies such as free education over an idol’s beats. Campaign planner Hennessy Mesa said, “The essence of K-pop is ‘social resistance’ against oppression and inequality.” Young people’s real-world deprivations and K-pop’s message match perfectly, creating a powerful political outburst that goes well beyond simple cultural consumption.

Right now, the conservative-leaning mood across the Latin American continent is being driven hard by “bluetide.” Local major media outlets evaluate Cepeda’s strategy as a smart “digital battle of public opinion” designed to counter the conservative camp’s “AI and influencer offensive.” Whether this unprecedented fandom politics forged through K-culture can keep watch over Colombia’s red wave—global political circles are closely focused on that question. The result of this amazing experiment, in which culture drives politics, will be decided soon.