Abstract
This paper considers the theoretical underpinnings of a particular empirical case that occurred in China in 2020-21, wherein K-pop boyband BTS was seemingly able to exert a peculiar kind of influence over Chinese netizens and the Chinese government. In so doing, the paper develops fresh insights into IR and cyber. Ultimately, this paper argues that the BTS controversy, and the events following it, warrant the development of a novel theoretical concept for understanding warfare, or competition, in the cyber/information realm. This theoretical concept is tentatively named “passive cyber-influence” (PCI). The paper begins by comparing the “BTS controversy” with existing, comparable, and related theoretical concepts in the cyber and international relations literature. Concepts such as cyber information warfare, cyber soft balancing, and soft and sharp power are examined and ultimately found to be dissatisfactory. The paper aggregates the main points learned from this process and subsequently introduce PCI as a novel concept that best explains the BTS controversy. The merits of PCI as a theoretical tool are then specified, especially for foreign policy decision-makers.
Presenters
Jun Kyu BaekStudent, Master's Candidate in Global Affairs and Policy, Yonsei University, South Korea
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Cyber, Cyber information warfare, Soft balancing, Soft power, Sharp power
