We now live in the age of pop idols and cultural icons. Ever since the popular American television show “American Idol” was launched in 2002, the term “idol” has been widely used to refer to pop heroes who immediately turn into cultural icons. “American Idol,” a spin-off from the British show, “Pop Idol,” has been the most watched TV series in the history of television. The impact of the TV show has been so tremendous throughout the world that it has inspired a number of similar shows in other countries, including the Korean show, “Superstar K.” These popular shows have created cultural icons for the younger generation who thirst for pop heroes and idols.

In these TV shows, anybody can become a celebrity overnight if he or she has unusual talent, especially in singing and dancing. Because “American Idol” became so popular, other “pop hero discovery” programs began to appear such as “America’s Got Talent,” which first aired in 2006 as a spin-off of the British show, “Britain’s Got Talent.” This show features not only amateur singers and dancers, but also comedians and magicians. As long as you’ve got talent, you can become a pop idol and become rich with prize money of up to $1 million. This show has, in turn, inspired the Korean TV show, “Korea’s Got Talent.”

Recently, the so-called Ahn Cheol-soo syndrome hit the Korean political arena. Unlike other politicians, Ahn was no seasoned gladiator. As a former computer virus exterminator and founder of an antivirus company, his only weapon was his technical expertise. Yet the crowd was enchanted by his presence and eagerly cheered for him. Meanwhile, other political gladiators in the arena became nervous and downtrodden at the sudden appearance of this computer virus expert. With a wave of popular support, Ahn abruptly emerged as a strong, viable candidate not only for the mayor of Seoul, but also for the president of South Korea.

Newspaper reports stated that the Ahn phenomenon was clearly a sign of people’s disappointment in corrupt politicians and the Lee administration that had failed in communicating with the general public. Indeed, it was true that people were sick and tired of incompetent, banal politicians and wanted a Kennedy-like cultural idol that has charisma and electricity. It is also true that people were disappointed with the arrogant Lee administration that had stubbornly turned a deaf ear to its critics and refused to talk with people.

Nevertheless, the Ahn syndrome was surely made possible by the people’s desire for a pop idol with talents to entertain and enchant them. Ahn was a perfect candidate for such a role. Since he was the leading antivirus expert in Korea, all computer users were already familiar with his name. Furthermore, he was equipped with many attractive titles that made him a celebrity: medical doctor, chaired professor at KAIST and, recently, dean of a graduate school at Seoul National University. Meanwhile, few mainstream politicians could be called pop idols or cultural icons; most of them look like power-hungry, conspiring and belligerent gladiators. Without popular support, they were doomed to lose the battle against the popular idol.

Given the situation, however, there are two compelling problems at stake. First, people tend to worship their idols so much that they blindly support them without seriously considering their competence as a politician. People may say: “We are tired of deceitful politicians. We need a new face with a fresh image.” Inexperienced amateurs, however, may drag the country into serious problems, if not ruin it. There is no guarantee that a pop idol or a cultural icon can become a superb politician.

The other problem is that if talented men in every field go into politics, there will be a serious professional and creative vacuum in our society. We need experienced experts in every nook and cranny of our society. Currently, however, many celebrities in each field seem to want to become politicians once they become superstars in their own field. As a result, our politicians are a mixture of celebrities such as former anchormen, actors, journalists, professors, businessmen, prosecutors, lawyers, athletes and even writers.

Of course, even in the United States, mainstream celebrities have turned to politics sometimes. For example, Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood actor before he was elected president. But he was not successful as an actor, so he had every reason to switch his career.

In Korea, being a celebrity is an express ticket to either Yeouido or Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House). During the process, however, some people are disgraced, and even ruin the reputation of their family during parliamentary hearings before their appointment. Others are disillusioned, unable to spread their wings because they are caught in the web of dirty politics and conspiracies. Surely, it would have been better if they had remained an idol in their own field of expertise.

Not all pop idols can become good politicians. Meanwhile, old politicians must be reborn as genuine cultural icons representing the new global age. Otherwise, they are doomed to perish fighting their popular rivals.

By Kim Seong-kon

Kim Seong-kon, a professor of English at Seoul National University, is editor of the literary quarterly “21st Century Literature.” ― Ed.