Young activists in South Korea have taken to the streets of Seoul this week in massive protests calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Armed with plastic light sticks popular at K-pop concerts and chanting lyrics to songs by artists like G-Dragon and aespa, tens of thousands have gathered outside the National Assembly in sub-zero temperatures since Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law last week, Reuters reported.
Chanting “impeach, impeach, impeach Yoon Suk Yeol” to the rhythm of aespa’s techno track Whiplash, protesters have waved flags and synchronized their chants with G-Dragon’s Crooked. Social media has been flooded with videos of the protests, which resemble K-pop concerts, complete with coordinated light stick movements. Some of the light sticks even promote K-pop boy band TREASURE.
Yoon’s attempt to declare martial law, which included deploying troops to block lawmakers from voting against military rule, has sparked a constitutional crisis. A special counsel has been appointed to investigate allegations of insurrection against Yoon, who has been barred from leaving the country during the probe. The president apologized for his actions four days later, pledging not to invoke martial law again.
Seoul-based music critic Kim Do Heon told Reuters that light sticks have proven more effective than candles, a symbol of the 2016 impeachment protests against former President Park Geun-hye. “They’re sturdy, shine brightly, and are easy to carry,” Kim said. Protesters have also played songs like 2NE1’s I Am the Best and Girls’ Generation’s Into the New World.
Protest MC Park Min-ju said she uses K-pop beats to energize the crowds. “I created pop instrumentals and slogans to cheer people up,” she told Reuters.
The K-pop industry, a significant economic driver for South Korea due to global stars like BTS, SEVENTEEN, and BLACKPINK, generally remains apolitical. While the songs used in the protests steer clear of political commentary, opposition lawmaker Kim Byung-joo shared a playlist of K-pop tracks being used at the rallies on X, formerly Twitter. “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, ringleader of treason!” he wrote.
This story includes reporting from Reuters.