Meme, Mediatization, and Lived Religion: Case Study of Zior Park’s ‘Christian' in K-Pop Culture

K-pop singer Zior Park's "Christian" song, reaching 11 million views in 2023, critiques religious hypocrisy within Christianity. This paper examines the impact of related religious memes on understanding religion in South Korea and fostering religious dialogue. Situated within the framework of memes, mediatization, and lived religion, the study analyzes how "Christian" sparks discussions on Korean religious piety, gender norms, and materialism, challenging both believers and non-believers. Through exploration of diverse memes, from Buddhist interpretations to critiques of North Korea, it reveals the multifaceted nature of religious discourse on South Korean social media. Moreover, it highlights the role of religious memes in promoting open discourse, blurring sacred and profane boundaries, and inspiring creative memetic expressions on religious matters. By studying Zior Park's "Christian" and its associated memes, this research offers insights into the evolving dynamics between memes, mediatization, and lived religion.