"I'll Make It a Better Place to Live" Surprises Foreign Media... Rally Felt Like a Dance Party

by Kim Eunha

Published 08 Dec.2024 12:04(KST)

Updated 08 Dec.2024 16:39(KST)

Foreign Media Report 'Festival-like Atmosphere' at Rally in Front of National Assembly

"In K-pop, participants joyfully ran around, waving colorful light sticks and LED candles, with some protests resembling dance parties." (AFP)

On the 7th, the protest culture of the crowd gathered in front of the National Assembly demanding the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was prominently featured in foreign media.

The phrase "OO, I will make it a better place for you to live" along with the image of an idol fan participating in the rally (left), and the image of a participant holding an idol light stick at the rally. Captured from SNS.

According to major foreign news reports on the 8th, the French news agency AFP reported, "Ahead of the impeachment vote, many protesters wore carefully crafted costumes, held handmade flags, and played K-pop, which has become an essential fixture of the rallies." It added that at a rally held on the 6th, while the girl group aespa's 'Whiplash' played, young participants jumped to the music shouting, "Impeach, impeach, Yoon Suk-yeol!" and "Resign, resign Yoon Suk-yeol!"

On the afternoon of the 6th, near National Assembly Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, citizens attended a candlelight rally urging the impeachment of the president, holding light sticks of the boy group NCT with "Impeachment" written on them. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 5th, at a rally in Yeouido, Girls' Generation's 'Into the New World' was played, the report said. It explained, "This lively debut song by the famous girl group has never been considered political, but it gained popularity among young female protesters during the rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2016-2017."

On the afternoon of the 7th, participants hold candles at the "Treason Yoon Seok-yeol Resignation! Realization of People's Sovereignty! Great Social Reform! Nationwide Candlelight March" held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

It also introduced humorous flags held by some protesters, such as 'I am the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster,' 'People Who Came Alone,' 'Dog Paw Smell Research Society,' 'Flower Planting Club,' and 'Editors Who Can't Sleep.'

The New York Times (NYT) also reported on the National Assembly rally, mentioning the K-pop that echoed at the scene. The outlet stated, "As the Saturday protest in front of the National Assembly promised to be the largest yet, it began with a festive atmosphere," adding, "Large screens and sound equipment were installed along the road leading to the National Assembly, and speakers and performers led the crowd with chants and songs." It further explained, "The lyrics demanded the impeachment of President Yoon."

It continued, "People wore blankets and held hand signs to prepare for the cold weather that had lasted nearly a week, and music and chants could be heard from afar," describing the atmosphere.