A scene of people participating in a protest demanding the removal of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol outside the National Assembly in Seoul last week was captured by AFP.

On Thursday, demonstrators gathered near the National Assembly in Seoul, calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster. AFP

With colorful glow sticks in hand, singing parody songs, and donning elaborate costumes, protesters in Seoul this week have showcased South Korea's distinctive and inventive protest culture. From mutual aid initiatives to keep protesters well-fed to nostalgic exercise routines, AFP explores the popular elements seen at the anti-Yoon protests: From Seoul's central square to the National Assembly building in the city's heart, protests have erupted across the South Korean capital following Yoon's brief suspension of civilian rule last week. Some gatherings have resembled dance parties, with K-pop tracks playing as participants joyfully jump around, waving colorful glow sticks and LED candles.

During a protest calling for the ouster of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol outside the National Assembly in Seoul last week, people sang along to K-pop music. AFP

When the hit song "Whiplash" by K-pop girl group aespa played at a demonstration three days after Yoon declared martial law, young protesters chanted while jumping: "Impeach, impeach, impeach Yoon Suk Yeol!" and "Resign, resign, resign Yoon Suk Yeol!" in sync with the music. On Thursday night last week, protesters holding lit candles in front of the National Assembly sang the 2007 song "Into the New World" by K-pop group Girls' Generation. The upbeat debut single from the popular girl group talks about a hopeful future and moving past sad times. The track gained popularity from 2016 to 2017 among young women protesting conservative then-president Park Geun-hye, who was eventually impeached over a corruption scandal.

"The current protest reflects the rise of a new generation," Kang Won-taek, a political science professor at Seoul National University, told AFP on Thursday. "When you consider K-pop culture, elements like light sticks and fandom have emerged recently, blending into this protest culture," he said. "It seems connected to the enjoyment and participatory aspect of these gatherings." An impeachment-themed Christmas carol by singer Baek Ja, a slightly modified version of the well-known "Feliz Navidad," also went viral last week. The lyrics of the song go: "Christmas is merry when Yoon Suk Yeol resigns." Last Wednesday night, in front of the National Assembly building, protesters carrying signs that read "Arrest (Yoon) immediately" and "Impeach" waved lit candles and cellphones as the singer performed the song.

South Koreans have also embraced nostalgic soundtracks. The government introduced exercise classes in schools in the late 1970s, so many South Koreans who attended school in the 1980s and 1990s fondly remember the routines: simple, rhythmic movements set to upbeat music. Since last week, protesters have performed these exercises to the familiar tune while chanting: "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol." Many held glow sticks and wore padded jackets and hats to combat the cold weather. Some have turned to the internet to share locations where protesters can get something to eat or a hot drink—prepaid by fellow Koreans supportive of their cause.

"I thought it was unbelievable that martial law was declared in a democratic country in 2024," Yoon Iseo, who paid for 40 rolls of the rice and seaweed snack kimbap at a restaurant near the parliament, told AFP. "As I reside in a provincial area and face health issues, it was difficult for me to attend the impeachment rally at the National Assembly in person," Yoon said. "I simply wanted to express my gratitude, even in a small way."

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