Renowned British pianist Brendan Kavanagh, also known as “Dr. K,” who enjoys high popularity in Taiwan, took to Facebook on November 4th to share a photo of a Taiwan tourism advertisement in the London Underground. In the post, he wrote: “All signs lead to Taiwan.” Many enthusiastic netizens left comments welcoming him to Taiwan.
Kavanagh, who often plays the public piano at train stations and livestreams the process, gained global attention earlier this year when he was interrupted by Chinese Communist Party “little pinks” filming propaganda at St. Pancras train station in London.
On April 3rd this year, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien, Taiwan, drawing global concern. Kavanagh expressed his care and support for Taiwan by posting a photo on Facebook holding up the flag of the Republic of China with the caption “Hope everyone in Taiwan is safe.” The image of him standing on a piano stool holding the flag drew likes and gratitude from many Taiwanese netizens.
In a previous interview with Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Kavanagh mentioned that the oppression by the Chinese Communist Party has made him more “radical.” Despite showing support for Taiwan in various ways through his videos, Kavanagh emphasized in the interview that he harbors no ill will towards the Chinese people but is against those who seek to control them and Taiwan.
Kavanagh’s defense of freedom and democracy in Taiwan sparked a “Dr. K craze” in the country. He later appeared in a black shirt featuring the flag of the Republic of China, with black trousers, hands in pockets, and sunglasses on, expressing his desire to visit Taiwan.
As the year draws to a close, on November 4th, Kavanagh shared a photo on Facebook pointing to a Taiwan Tourism Bureau advertisement in the London Underground, accompanied by the caption “All signs lead to Taiwan.” Many Taiwanese netizens responded with messages of “Welcome to Taiwan!”