Young People In South Korea Are Protesting Against The President With K-Pop Songs And Light Sticks
Light sticks from SHINee, EXO, NCT and other K-pop groups were spotted in the crowd of protesters.
Thousands of people in South Korea rallied outside the parliament in the country’s capital Seoul to demand the resignation or impeachment of president Yoon Suk Yeol, using songs to amplify their demands and keep spirits up.
The protests started after Yoon declared martial law — temporary rule by the military — on Tuesday, Dec. 3, which parliament voted to lift hours later.
The following day, members of the opposition Democratic Party held demonstrations outside of the country’s parliament.
Videos of the demonstration captured scenes of the protests, which at times had the energy of a K-pop concert.
Organizers played songs from popular Korean groups such as Girls’ Generation, aespa, 2NE1, NCT, BTS and BLACKPINK’s Rosé.
During a candlelight vigil on Dec. 5, protesters sang “Into the New World” by Girls’ Generation, a song which talks about a hopeful future during uncertain times.
MZ세대의 운동가요가 된
— 레종 (@twikth5169) December 5, 2024
소녀시대의 <다시 만난 세계>로
모든 세대가 하나된 국회 본청 앞 촛불집회입니다
이번 주 토요일 광장에서 우리 모두
하나되어 윤석열탄핵을 이루어냅시다!!!! pic.twitter.com/hhzkZ9aHTX
Protesters added a K-pop twist to the Spanish Christmas carol “Feliz Navidad” and modified the lyrics to sing, “Christmas is merry when Yoon Suk Yeol resigns. Christmas is merry when (First Lady) Kim Keon Hee is punished.”
캐롤 탄핵ver 불러줌 ㅜㅜㅋㅋㅋ pic.twitter.com/b3FfSTJ9h4
— 니냐뇨 (@ninini0421) December 4, 2024
On Sunday, Dec. 7, when Yoon’s impeachment vote was scheduled, about 150,000 protesters gathered outside the parliament building, Crisis24 reported.
In photos, protesters were seen holding light sticks from K-Pop groups.
Many artists in Korea create light sticks as merch for their fans to bring color and energy into concerts, but this time around fans took that energy to the protest.
Some protesters in the crowd were spotted holding these K-pop group light sticks:
1. K-pop boy group, NCT
Some fans of the boy group NCT even modified their light sticks to show “Impeachment”.
2. K-pop girl group, MAMAMOO
3. K-pop boy group, SEVENTEEN
4. K-pop boy group, EXO
5. K-pop boy group, SHINee
6. K-pop girl group, NMIXX
The bill to impeach Yoon failed to pass after the majority of the members of Yoon’s party decided to boycott the vote.
The opposition party then proposed a new impeachment bill, which was voted on Saturday, Dec. 14, leading to Yoon’s impeachment after 204 lawmakers voted in favor.
The constitutional court now has 180 days to review whether the reasons for impeachment are valid and will decide to remove or reinstate him.
Kassy Cho
Isha Jain
