 "A protester dances, during a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul. Reuters")
South Koreans for the past week have been taking to the streets to demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol .
But with a difference.
Protesters in Seoul are using glow sticks and K-pop parody songs to mock Yoon.
“Impeach, impeach. Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol,” protesters chanted to the beat of K-pop group aespa’s latest techno track ‘Whiplash,’ reported news agency Reuters.
The protesters are demanding the Korean president step down after he imposed martial law last week, although it was reversed within a few hours .
Let’s take a closer look:
K-pop songs on blast
From the main square to the National Assembly building in Seoul, protesters have taken over the streets ever since Yoon briefly suspended civilian rule last week.
These protests have seen K-pop songs blaring from loudspeakers with participants dancing joyfully.
During a protest held three days after Yoon declared martial law, the K-pop hit “Whiplash” by girl group aespa became an anthem for young demonstrators. They chanted slogans such as “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol!” and “Resign Yoon Suk Yeol!” in sync with the music while energetically jumping around to the beat.
On Thursday night last week, the 2007 song “Into the New World” by K-pop group Girls’ Generation was sung by protesters holding lit candles in front of the National Assembly. The upbeat debut single from the popular girl group speaks about a hopeful future and moving away from sad times.
The track gained significant traction from 2016 to 2017 among young women protesting conservative then-president Park Geun-hye, who was ultimately impeached over a corruption scandal. “The current protest reflects the emergence of a new generation,” Kang Won-taek, 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.”
Protesters turn to Christmas carols
Demonstrators are also using Christmas carols to show their dissatisfaction with the government. A tweaked version of the iconic carol ‘Feliz Navidad’ sung by Baek Ja has also gone viral. “Christmas is merry when Yoon Suk Yeol resigns,” the song’s lyrics read.
Last Wednesday night (December 11), in front of the National Assembly building, protesters waved lit candles and cellphones while holding signs reading “Arrest Yoon immediately” and “Impeach.”
The demonstration featured a performance of the song to amplify their message.
South Koreans are also using nostalgic school exercise routines during the protest. The government introduced exercise classes in schools in the late 1970s, so many South Koreans who were at school in the 1980s and 1990s fondly remember the routines: simple, rhythmic movements set to upbeat music.
Since last week, protesters have performed the exercises to the familiar tune while chanting: “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol.” Many held glow sticks and wore padded jackets and hats to stave off the cold weather.
‘Wanted to express gratitude’
While most people are protesting, those who could not join their fellow citizens have taken to helping others by paying for their food. Some have even taken to social media to guide the protesters to nearby restaurants for meals that are already paid for.
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“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.”
With inputs from AFP