"People are wrapping themselves in foil. They really look like Kisses."

On the 5th, a group nicknamed the "Kisses Group" appeared in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, drawing attention on social networking services (SNS). Kisses are a famous overseas chocolate snack, sold as uniquely shaped chocolates wrapped in foil. As a sudden snowstorm hit that day, protest participants sat on the street wrapped in silver thermal blankets, and their appearance closely resembled Kisses chocolates.

Photo released on the Progressive Party Facebook page. Facebook capture

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Photos of the Kisses Group were shared by netizens on various SNS platforms, including X. Despite heavy snowfall, the protesters sat on the street waving cheering sticks, and reportedly remained in place even at night.

A photo shared by a sitting lawmaker also attracted attention. The office of National Assembly member Jung Hye-kyung of the Progressive Party (proportional representation) stated, "Representative Jung has been participating in the 'Arrest Demand Action' with workers and citizens for three days and two nights since 3 p.m. on the 3rd," releasing several photos. The images show citizens braving thick snow, dressed in padded jackets and blankets, resolutely waving cheering sticks.

Regarding this, Representative Jung wrote on Facebook, "The cheering stick girls brought back memories of my twenties. Each of their stories was precious, and I couldn't miss a single moment," explaining her reason for participating in the protest for several days. She added, "I am determined to respond to the cries of these girls with politics."

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Kisses is a flagship product of Hershey, a major American chocolate manufacturer. The chocolate, shaped like a teardrop or acorn and wrapped in silver or gold foil, is already famous worldwide. Since its launch in 1907, it has been actively sold both in the West and domestically.

Netizens who saw the protesters commented, "Their passion is amazing even in bad weather," "Just seeing the Kisses Group is healing," and "My heart was touched to see so many people gathered for the same cause as me," expressing their support.

Hershey's Kisses Original, an American chocolate manufacturer. Captured from Wikipedia

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However, not all citizens responded positively to the protesters. Some pointed out that the protest occupied the area near Hangangjin Station, a central commercial district in Hannam-dong. In fact, due to the large-scale rally, ten nearby road lanes were occupied, and Seoul Subway Line 6 skipped Hangangjin Station for 20 minutes without stopping.

The protest, which continued from the 4th to the 5th, mobilized 100,000 people over two days, according to police estimates. During this period, two members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) were arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers but were later released.

Pro-Yoon Suk-yeol conservative groups also gathered near the presidential residence to hold counter-protests, further escalating the confusion. However, police set up barricades to separate and control the two protests, and no physical clashes reportedly occurred.