The Power of Fandom: How Jackson Wang Fans in Peru Took Matters Into Their Own Hands
A fan-driven art gallery in Lima becomes a global call for connection — and a heartfelt invitation.
Written by Martina Rexrode
If you’re familiar with the world of fandom, you already know the force of nature that is Taylor Swift’s Swifties or BTS’ ARMY. These fandoms take years not just to build, but also deepen: the community identity, the inside jokes, the shared lore and familiar names on Discord or at tour meet-ups.
Fans have become critical extensions of an artist’s promotional strategy – in some ways, they act like grassroot marketing powerhouses, dedicating themselves to organizing streaming parties, sketching out how to get their favorite artist on the Billboard Hot 100, and building online excitement around an album’s “easter eggs” (hidden messages or nuanced hints for fans to discover).
Global reach is an increasingly important piece of this strategy, and social media and other digital channels are typically the engines to make this happen.
Beyond just sharing music, fans are building entire online ecosystems with artist update accounts and fan-run pages, especially ones that are region-specific (how else would “come to Brazil!” become such an iconic rallying cry amongst fans?) In recent years we’ve been seeing music lovers in the Eastern hemisphere digging more into artists from the U.S. and Europe (thanks to the help of services like East Goes Global) while Western fans are immersing themselves into other genres like K-Pop.
The K-Pop community is home to some of the most fiercely dedicated fans you’ll ever meet. Even though their favorite artists often tour only a few major cities globally, many listeners often treat their fan identity as a full-time job. Sometimes this includes fighting for a way to show artists just how widespread their reach is.
The K-Pop fanbase in Lima, Peru, for example, is one of the biggest in Latin America.
Despite its 10,000+ mile distance from Korea, fans have found their own sense of community by founding dance crews who learn and perform K-Pop choreography, hosting public events, and showing their dedication through their own online streaming events.
A recent example of the impact of K-Pop in Peru lies within a project created between TOORLY, a fan-driven online platform that allows fans to influence where artists tour next, and a group of Jackson Wang fans.
Wang is a Hong Kong-born multi-hyphenate talent who first rose to fame as a member of K-Pop boy group GOT7 in 2014. Since delving into his own solo career, performing at Coachella, and releasing his debut solo album, MAGIC MAN, Wang has become a global pop star.
Along with providing real-time data that shows artists where demand exists for future outreach, TOORLY also supports fan-led cultural projects that give fans additional visibility and creative control. They recently worked with fans in Lima to create a temporary art gallery, which served as an open invitation for Wang to perform in their city .
The gallery included three pieces from artists based in the U.S. (@cholorsplash), Colombia (@karina), and France (@ahgaxl), further highlighting the reach of Wang’s fan community. The pieces were displayed in the well-respected Galería Índigo in San Isidro, Lima, a gallery known to host both permanent and rotating exhibits that support local as well as international artistic voices.
Karina, of the artists whose work was chosen for this gallery, shared, “I found inspiration in how human he is — how open and real. He inspires me to create art.”
Turning an art gallery into a tribute to a musician - as both a call for them to visit and a celebration of fan art - beautifully reflects the passion and humanity of fandom. In an era where most fan campaigns live and grow online, there’s something strikingly original about anchoring this energy in a physical space. It’s a reminder that while community thrives in digital ecosystems, its emotional core still craves tangible expression - a real place where shared creativity and connection can take shape offline.
The gallery in Peru is just one part of an international K-Pop fan gallery initiative. Future exhibitions are already planned for Latvia, South Africa, and more.
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Martina Rexrode is a writer based in Delaware. With a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Delaware and a lifelong passion for music, she combines the two when she can to put her thoughts about all kinds of music down where anyone can read them.