Protesters tore a banner symbolizing the flag of the ruling People Power Party during a rally demanding the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had declared martial law, later reversed, in front of the party's headquarters in Seoul on December 9, 2024. – Reuters
While South Korean protesters have traditionally used songs, dances, and chants, customized light sticks, a favorite among K-pop fans, have become a new and effective tool for those calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Tens of thousands of protesters have braved sub-zero temperatures to gather outside the National Assembly in Seoul since Yoon's failed martial law attempt last week. "Impeach, impeach. Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol," they chanted in sync with K-pop group aespa's latest techno track, "Whiplash."
Videos of synchronized chanting and light stick movements at the protests have gone viral on social media, alongside flags carrying messages and memes from predominantly younger demonstrators. "Give us geeks the freedom to only worry about geek things," read one meme flag at Saturday's protest, reflecting the mood among young people amid the political turmoil. The light sticks are sturdy, shine brightly, and are easy to carry, said Seoul-based music critic Kim Do Heon.
South Koreans are in it for the long haul, said Shin Jae-yun, who protested against Yoon with a light stick for K-pop boy band TREASURE. "Protests are painful, yet there's no guarantee things will improve immediately. To endure the pain, you need something enjoyable to keep hope alive," Shin explained. Playlists of popular K-pop protest songs are also being shared on social media. Kim Byung-joo, a lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party, joined the trend by posting a playlist: "Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, ringleader of treason!...from folk songs to K-pop."
South Korea has a long history of protest since democracy took root in the 1980s. Demonstrations over worker rights, North Korean threats, and government failures have sometimes turned violent. Lee Seul-gi, a 36-year-old ATEEZ fan, said the impeachment protests have become more accessible. "Previous rallies were violent and scary, but light sticks and K-pop have lowered the barrier," she said. Until 2016, candles were prominent at protests, playing a central role in the rallies that led to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Now, the age of light sticks has arrived, said music critic Kim.
Stephanie Choi, a researcher at the State University of New York at Buffalo, noted that light sticks still reflect "the power of solidarity while maintaining non-violence." While both men and women of all ages are protesting, young women are outnumbering their male peers. Yoon vowed to abolish the gender equality ministry and was unpopular among women voters in their 20s during the 2022 presidential election. He won by the slimmest margin in South Korean history but suffered a landslide defeat in parliamentary elections earlier this year.
The K-pop industry is generally apolitical, and many K-pop songs played at the protests lack political messages. However, experts say fans are aware of K-pop's power and its underlying messages of female empowerment. "K-pop is a female-dominant space...and their feminist demands have shaped K-pop's aesthetics and performances," Choi said. Kim Da-in, a 19-year-old Plave fan, said the protests are uniting all K-pop fandoms. "Here, we feel like citizens of South Korea first, before being idol fans."
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
