The Albany Gazette - K-pop, carols, free food at South Korea impeachment protests

From mutual aid efforts to ensure protesters stay well fed to old-school exercise routines, AFP takes a look at what has been popular at the anti-Yoon protests:

- K-pop soundtrack -

From Seoul's main square to the National Assembly building in the heart of the city, protests have sprung up across the South Korean capital after Yoon briefly suspended civilian rule last week.

Some rallies have resembled a dance party, with K-pop tunes blasting as participants leap around joyfully, waving colourful glow sticks and LED candles.

When the hit song "Whiplash" by K-pop girl group aespa filled the air at a demonstration three days after Yoon declared martial law, young protesters shouted while jumping: "Impeach, impeach, impeach Yoon Suk Yeol!" and "Resign, resign, resign Yoon Suk Yeol!" in tune to the music.

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."

- Carols, school memories -

An impeachment-themed Christmas carol by singer Baek Ja -- a slightly tweaked version of the well-known "Feliz Navidad" -- also went viral last week.

"Christmas is merry when Yoon Suk Yeol resigns," the song's lyrics go.

Last Wednesday night, in front of the National Assembly building, protesters carrying signs that said "Arrest (Yoon) immediately" and "Impeach", waved lit candles and cellphones as the singer performed the song.

South Koreans also have cranked up nostalgic soundtracks.

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.

- Food for hungry protesters -

Some have taken to the internet to share spots where protesters can get something to eat or a hot drink -- prepaid for 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."

(W.Walker--TAG)