While protesters have long employed songs, dances and chants, customised light sticks popular with K-pop fans have emerged as an effective new tool for demonstrators calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Tens of thousands of protesters have braved near sub-zero temperatures and gathered outside the National Assembly in the capital of Seoul since Yoon’s failed martial law attempt last week.
“Impeach, impeach. Impeach Yoon Suk-yeol,” protesters chanted to the beat of K-pop group aespa’s latest techno track Whiplash.Videos of synchronised chanting and light stick movements in unison at the protests have gone viral on social media along with flags carrying messages and memes from mainly younger demonstrators.
“Give us geeks the freedom to only worry about geek things,” one meme flag carried on a flagpole at Saturday’s protest read, capturing the mood among young people amid deepening political turmoil.
One of the advantages of the light sticks is how sturdy they are, said Kim Do-heon, a Seoul-based music critic.
“It also shines very bright and comes in a size that is easy to carry around.”
South Koreans are playing the long game, said Shin Jae-yun who came out to protest against Yoon with a light stick for K-pop boy band TREASURE, because protests are a “very painful act” yet there is no guarantee things will improve right away.
“To endure such pain, you have to have something to enjoy in it so that people can stay hopeful for a long time even when it drags on,” Shin said.
Playlists of popular K-pop protest songs are also being shared on X.
Kim Byung-joo, a lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party, jumped on the trend on Monday and posted a playlist on the platform: “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, ringleader of treason!... from folk songs to K-pop.”
Lee Seul-gi, a 36-year-old woman who is a fan of K-pop boyband ATEEZ, said the impeachment protests this time around have become more accessible.
“Previous rallies might have been a bit violent and scary. But the light sticks and K-pop have lowered the barrier,” Lee said. — Reuters
