Arletta, a 21-year-old K-Pop fan from Virginia, loves the genre but noticed one issue within the online fandom.
Fans use respective hashtags during “selca days” such as #ArmySelcaDay or #NCTzenSelcaDay to share photos of themselves with their favorite groups and/or members. However, Arletta noted that many of the most popular posts didn’t contain any fans with plus-size bodies.
During “blackout selca days,” hashtags dedicated to black K-Pop fans, she was still unable to find people with her body type as the majority of popular posts were not from plus-size fans.
5'8 isnt that tall but everything else lol #BigKpopBitches pic.twitter.com/aT7BXJrApv
— Queen V (@KpopWithV) May 12, 2020
am i too late 😭#BigKpopBitches pic.twitter.com/Mbj6KsajqB
— 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭 ⁷ nsfr (@GCFUKHAE) May 12, 2020
She decided to create the inclusive hashtag #BigKpopBitches after discussing it in a group chat with friends who are also plus-size fans. Their aim was to create something where fans of all K-Pop groups could feel welcome to participate without limiting the hashtag to a specific group’s fandom.
i found out in 4th grade that I was fat. these pictures used to make me cry but I’m learning to accept them. thank you to whoever started this tag <3 #BigKpopBitches pic.twitter.com/O4Nq8DFe2S
— tiny ⁷₁₂₇ 𖧵 ↺ (@louderthanmark) May 12, 2020
This hashtag is everything💜 #BigKpopBitches pic.twitter.com/z8fRZ7bwod
— lovely BABY MOCHI⁷ | jk best boy (@ohhhitslinda) May 12, 2020
Arletta was pleased with the positive response and all of the fans who noted how it boosted their confidence and gave them a space to feel beautiful. She hopes the hashtag will be used monthly to continue to celebrate diverse body types and plus-size fans.
#BigKpopBitches 👉🏻👈🏻 my chubby ass wanted to join too pic.twitter.com/UfHNI3bXJX
— 𝐂𝐡𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐮⁷ NSFR (@SLUTTYCHIM) May 12, 2020
