BLACKPINK, BTS, and Climate Talk: UK Ambassador Goes Full K-pop

Colin Crooks, the British Ambassador to South Korea, recently expressed his deep appreciation for Korean culture after attending a BLACKPINK concert and meeting several top K-Culture stars.

On Tuesday, Crooks took to his X account to share a surprise encounter with BTS member J-Hope at the concert. Posting a photo together, he wrote, “Ran into J-Hope at the BLACKPINK concert, both of us are BLINKs!” (BLINK is the official fan club name for BLACKPINK). In the photo, Crooks proudly wore a BLACKPINK World Tour T-shirt, showing off his K-pop fandom.

Using K-Culture to Promote Climate Awareness

In another post, Crooks shared photos with global K-pop and K-drama stars, including Lee Byung Hun, Jung Ho Yeon, and Ko Kyung Pyo. This moment highlighted the worldwide influence of Korean entertainment and underscored the growing importance of cultural diplomacy.

The British Embassy in Seoul took advantage of BLACKPINK’s DEADLINE World Tour concerts, held on Saturday and Sunday at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium, by hosting a climate action booth at the venue. Ambassador Crooks personally participated in the event, reflecting the embassy’s efforts to leverage K-pop’s global reach in raising awareness about pressing global issues, such as climate change.

From North Korea to Cultural Diplomacy in South Korea

Before his current role in South Korea, Crooks served as the British Ambassador to North Korea from 2018 to 2021.

Starting his tenure in Pyongyang in December 2018, Crooks gained international attention for his detailed X posts (then Twitter), offering rare glimpses into everyday life in North Korea, from weddings and department stores to cafes and daily routines, providing a window into one of the world’s most secretive nations.

One notable post featured a photo with Kenji Fujimoto, the former personal chef to Kim Jong Il, taken at Fujimoto’s Japanese restaurant in Pyongyang. The photo helped dispel rumors about Fujimoto’s alleged disappearance.

Crooks’ mission in North Korea was cut short when the country closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting him to describe himself as the last Brit in North Korea when he departed.

Now continuing his diplomatic journey in South Korea, Crooks’ active engagement with K-pop culture reflects the evolving landscape of international relations in today’s entertainment-driven world.