The Two Faces of Korea? Restoring K-pop Pride with a ‘Light Stick Protest’

 By Kim Won-hee, December 9, 2024, 4:13 PM

On December 7, a large-scale protest unfolded in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, as the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was put to a vote. 

The event showcased a uniquely Korean style of demonstration, captivating attention across generations and even borders.

Over December 7 and 8, thousands gathered to demand the impeachment and arrest of President Yoon. According to police estimates, over 100,000 people attended. The protest’s strikingly creative approach quickly became a hot topic.

In the 21st century, peaceful demonstrations in Korea have often been associated with “candlelight vigils,” where participants gather holding candles to express dissent or pay tribute. Early on, real candles placed in paper cups were common, but these later gave way to LED candles for safety and convenience.

By 2024, the tradition had evolved yet again, giving rise to the “light stick protest.” Against the backdrop of K-pop’s global influence, this demonstration showcased the culture of the genre’s home country while illustrating how the younger generation is reclaiming their civic rights through innovative means.

K-pop Light Sticks Illuminate the Protest

During the “National Candlelight March” on December 7, K-pop light sticks—symbols of fandom culture—made a notable appearance. The protest featured light sticks representing groups such as BTS (ARMY Bomb), GFRIEND (Glass Marble Stick), BLACKPINK (Bl-ping-bong), aespa (S-bong), NewJeans (Binky Bong), and BTOB (Trumpet Bong).

One standout was NCT’s Meumwon Bong, often nicknamed the “donkatsu hammer” or “Thor’s hammer” for its unconventional design. Though previously criticized by fans, its wide surface area for displaying protest messages garnered admiration from attendees of other fandoms.

Large LED screens at the protest introduced the various light sticks, delighting not only the younger participants but also older attendees in their 40s and 50s. As night fell, the vibrant, glowing light sticks created a stunning, multicolored spectacle.

K-pop Songs Replace Traditional Protest Anthems

Instead of the usual solemn revolutionary songs, the protest reverberated with upbeat K-pop tracks. Songs like Girls’ Generation’s Into the New World, Rosé’s Apartment, aespa’s Whiplash, SHINee’s Ring Ding Dong, and SEVENTEEN’s Fighting! energized the crowd. Protesters enthusiastically sang along to slightly modified lyrics, danced, and jumped, keeping the atmosphere lively well into the chilly night.

Global Media Praises the ‘Light Stick Protest’

The unconventional protest style drew widespread attention from international media:

• AFP reported, “Participants danced joyfully amidst a sea of K-pop light sticks and LED candles, making parts of the protest resemble a dance party.”
• BBC wrote, “When K-pop music started playing, the crowd began singing, dancing, and waving colorful light sticks, transforming the protest into a lively pop concert.”
• The New York Times observed, “Despite freezing temperatures, the crowd sang along to K-pop and waved fluorescent light sticks, creating a vibrant and festive scene.”

This creative protest also helped restore K-pop pride, which had been tarnished earlier by criticisms of political turmoil in Korea. The UK’s Guardian had previously described Korea as showing “two faces” after President Yoon declared martial law, contrasting K-pop’s global image of freedom and peace with the authoritarian move.

Reclaiming K-pop’s Identity

By incorporating K-pop into the protest, participants reaffirmed the genre’s core message of freedom and peace. The fandom culture—rooted in promoting positive action to honor one’s favorite artists—aligned seamlessly with the cause, highlighting K-pop’s role as a cultural ambassador.

Through this innovative protest, Korea has demonstrated its unity and creativity as the birthplace of K-pop, showing the world that its people will stand for justice and democracy while celebrating their culture.

Reporter: Kim Won-hee
Email: kimwh@kyunghyang.com

K-pop, Light Stick Protest, Korean Protest Culture, Candlelight Vigil, BTS ARMY Bomb, BLACKPINK Bl-ping-bong, NCT Meumwon Bong, K-pop Fandom, Korean Democracy, President Yoon Suk-yeol Impeachment, Global K-pop Influence, Protest Creativity, K-pop and Activism, Korean Politics 2024, K-pop Fans in Protests, BTS, BLACKPINK, aespa, NewJeans, GFRIEND, SHINee, SEVENTEEN, BTOB, Korea in Global Media, AFP on Korea, BBC on K-pop, New York Times Korea, Guardian on Korean Politics, Korean Culture, K-pop Trends 2024, LED Candlelight, Modern Protest Movements, Creative Activism