K-pop light sticks find new life in rallies against Yoon in Seoul

SEOUL – The cityscape of South Korean capital city Seoul has transformed into a glittering colour display marrying K-pop and politics, with scores of music fans singing in the streets and waving glow sticks in protest against President Yoon Suk Yeol.

In front of the National Assembly, a young crowd of demonstrators has gathered nightly to light up the sky with fluorescent pops of green, pink and white. The colour combinations represent South Korea’s most iconic pop groups, including NCT, EXO, Seventeen, Aespa and more.

The K-pop fans are there for something more sobering than a music festival: the removal of Mr Yoon from his post after

his shock declaration of martial law last week.

Though the decree was quickly overturned, many younger Koreans were particularly furious at such a draconian move. 

Mr Yoon

narrowly avoided impeachment last weekend,

but protests against him have not stopped. Over the past few days, songs have blasted from loudspeakers as hundreds of people huddled in the cold outside South Korea’s legislature. Many spoke excitedly about how the political rallies have the camaraderie of concerts.

“It feels good to be able to bring out my light stick for an occasion like this,” said Ms Kim Ye-bin, 24, who was waving one for girl band Aespa on Dec 9. “If we can enjoy this moment, I believe we can all keep this rally going without getting tired.” 

In one corner of the scrum, a small group was in a festive spirit. One person wore a snowman costume. Another dressed as Santa Claus danced to music and yelled into a megaphone. 

“Are you ready? Don’t be tired and join me, Santa, in making sure Yoon is impeached! Promise me!” The last words were spoken in perfect sync with an old K-pop song that has roughly the same lyrics – minus Mr Yoon’s name, of course.

The atmosphere was in contrast to the solemn marches that dominated Seoul’s streets in 2016, when hundreds of thousands of people massed with candles – or torches – in protest against former president Park Geun-hye. She stepped down in 2017 after the constitutional court upheld a Parliament vote to impeach her. 

Though the upbeat flavour of K-pop has camouflaged political turmoil this time around, it has not meant protesters are taking the situation lightly. Ms Kim said she found the latest martial law fiasco so upsetting that she broke into tears when she reached home after one of the rallies. 

Public anger against Mr Yoon continues to mount, sending his approval ratings near single digits. The Prosecutors’ Office opened a treason investigation into the President over his declaration of martial law. If he is eventually found guilty, a process that could take years, he could face life in prison or even the death penalty. 

Mr Min Boaz, 29, who joined the demonstration on Dec 9 with a glow stick for girl band Red Velvet, said he will not stop marching until Mr Yoon steps down. 

“It’s amazing to see so many different fan light sticks,” he said. “At this rate, I think we will be able to achieve the results that we want to see. I’m definitely going to be here.” Bloomberg