The Seoul Southern Blood Center of the Korean Red Cross has found a unique way to encourage blood donations by tapping into the popularity of K-pop group SEVENTEEN. Starting on January 12, affiliated blood centers in Seoul offered SEVENTEEN photocards as an additional incentive for blood donors, along with the existing perks of gift certificates and hamburger set exchange vouchers.
SEVENTEEN Photocards Boost Korean Blood Donations in Seoul
The response to the SEVENTEEN photocards incentive was nothing short of remarkable. During the event, new blood donors increased by an impressive 68.8%, and in comparison to the same period the previous year, the overall number of blood donors saw a remarkable 80.6% increase. Notably, the age group most likely to be SEVENTEEN fans—individuals in their teens and 20s—saw an 81.7% increase in blood donations.
The success of this initiative highlights the potential impact of utilizing popular K-pop groups to promote social causes. SEVENTEEN’s widespread popularity among the youth played a crucial role in motivating new and younger donors to participate in blood donation drives. The inclusion of SEVENTEEN photocards as an additional incentive showcased a keen understanding of the target demographic’s preferences.
The Korean Red Cross initially prepared 1,000 SEVENTEEN photocards for the event, anticipating a positive response. However, due to overwhelming demand and success, they found it necessary to order more photocards to meet the growing interest. The incorporation of K-pop fandom culture into healthcare initiatives not only fosters a sense of community engagement but also serves as a creative approach to addressing blood shortages.
This innovative strategy demonstrates the potential for collaboration between entertainment and public health organizations to achieve shared goals. By aligning incentives with the interests of specific demographics, such initiatives can contribute to raising awareness and participation in essential public health initiatives like blood donation.
The success of the SEVENTEEN photocards incentive in Seoul’s blood donation centers suggests the possibility of expanding similar campaigns to other regions, leveraging the influence of K-pop fandoms to make a positive impact on public health initiatives.