After Presidential Defeat, Lee Jae-myung's Fandom 'Gaeddal' Activates
Support Grows Mainly Among Young Women in Their 20s and 30s
Fandom Phenomenon Becomes a Strong Ally for Politicians
Side Effects Like 'Political Opinion Polarization' Also Increase
On the 10th, Lee Jae-myung, Senior Advisor of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, after concluding a press conference conceding the presidential election. / Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "My dear Gaeddal-nims, thank you sincerely. I love you."
On the 21st, more than ten days after the 20th presidential election ended, Lee Jae-myung, the Standing Advisor of the Democratic Party of Korea, continues his communication efforts through social networking services (SNS), drawing attention. After losing the presidential election, some voters have declared themselves his fans and are actively supporting him both online and offline. It is reported that many of those who call themselves 'Gaeddal' are young women in their 20s and 30s.
Although he narrowly lost the presidential election, Lee's unexpectedly close race against President-elect Yoon Seok-youl was partly due to the 'last-minute rallying' of young female voters. Some speculate that these supporters could become a 'fandom' that empowers Lee's future political moves.
◆2030 'Gaeddal' Taking It Upon Themselves to 'Protect Lee Jae-myung'
The response from Gaeddal-nims is explosive. As of the morning of the 21st, the number of members on Lee's fan cafe website, 'Jaemyeong's Village,' has exceeded 135,000. This achievement was made in just 11 days since its official launch on the 10th. The total number of posts has also surpassed 140,000.
The term 'Gaeddal' is a newly coined word popularized by the tvN drama 'Reply 1997,' meaning 'a daughter with a personality as fierce as a dog.' It seems to express the intention to actively defend Lee through vigorous online activities.
Lee himself is enthusiastic about meeting the expectations of Gaeddal-nims. When Gaeddal-nims send him encouragement messages via SNS direct messages (DM), he actively replies. He also casually refers to his fans as 'daughters,' creating a friendly image.
The 'Gaeddal' fandom continues their passionate activities, such as creating and posting images comparing this torture to animals, and exchanging direct messages (DMs). / Photo by Internet Community Capture
Most Gaeddal-nims active online are young female voters in their 20s and 30s. They are mainly active in female-centered online communities such as 'Theqoo,' 'Millitory,' and 'Women's Generation,' where they discuss topics related to Lee.
They continue their passionate activities offline as well. According to the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, a total of 117,700 new party members joined from immediately after the presidential election until the 15th, with a significant portion being women in their 20s and 30s.
Regarding this, Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook wrote on Twitter on the 11th, "I heard that 70-80% of new members joining the Seoul Democratic Party are women in their 20s and 30s," adding, "These women are joining the Democratic Party to change it. They are willingly joining as comrades to properly pursue the promised path of gender equality and unity during the election period."
◆Expectations for Women's Policies Manifesting as a Young Female Fandom Phenomenon
Some young women have declared themselves fans of Lee because they expect him and the Democratic Party to implement women-friendly policies. Lee's narrow 0.7 percentage point difference against President-elect Yoon in the last presidential election was also thanks to the overwhelming support from young female voters.
According to a joint exit poll by the three major terrestrial broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) released on the 9th, Yoon's support rate among women in their 20s was 33.8%, while Lee's was 58.0%. Consequently, the overall vote share among people in their 20s was 45.5% for Yoon and 47.8% for Lee, with Lee slightly ahead.
Lee and the Democratic Party also actively courted young female voters to attract their votes. On the 3rd, during his candidacy, Lee held 'women-focused rallies' in Seoul and other locations. At the time, he emphasized, "I do not say strange things like there is no structural gender discrimination. To resolve gender discrimination, I will make a gender-equal country where men and women can equally participate in social and economic life."
On the 8th, at the plaza stage of Hongdae Walkable Street in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Park Ji-hyun, then Vice Chair of the Women's Committee of the Democratic Party's presidential campaign headquarters, campaigned in support of Lee Jae-myung, then the Democratic Party presidential candidate, during his final rally. Photo by Yonhap News
Lee also appointed activist Park Ji-hyun, who first brought public attention to the so-called 'Nth Room' case involving digital sexual exploitation production and distribution crimes, as the vice chairperson of the Women's Committee of the election campaign headquarters. After the election and the disbandment of the campaign headquarters, the Democratic Party appointed her as a co-chair of the party's Emergency Response Committee.
Regarding this, Yoon Ho-jung, the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee Chair, said at a National Assembly press conference on the 13th, "Co-chair Park has fought against all threats without yielding, resisting illegality and injustice. She embodies precious spirit and values that are indispensable to the Democratic Party through her decisive actions representing youth," adding, "Co-chair Park will lead policies on sexual crime measures, women's policies, and overall policies supporting the socially vulnerable and youth."
◆Strong Issue Ownership but Side Effects Like 'Text Bombing'... 'Double-Edged Sword' Fandom Politics
Some view the 2030 fandom centered around Gaeddal-nims as a significant force that could empower Lee's future political career. 'Political fandoms' leverage the internet's rapid information dissemination to act as strong allies during public office elections or primaries. They also show organized behavior, such as mass joining as party members to pressure the party to nominate specific politicians.
One of the most active examples of utilizing political fandoms was President Moon Jae-in. During the 19th presidential election Democratic Party primary, Moon's fandom's firepower helped him run a smooth campaign. Moon's fandom called themselves 'Moonlight Knights,' 'Moon Honey Badgers,' among other names, and actively supported him during the primary and after the presidential election.
Veteran politicians have also expressed envy of fandom power. The late Park Won-soon, former Seoul mayor, said at a 2018 press conference when asked about online political fandom activities, "(Moon's fandom) is enviable," adding, "I guess I don't have such fandom because I'm a plain person."
At the time, he emphasized the importance of Moon's fandom even in local government primaries like the Seoul mayoral race, saying, "Moon fans are politically well-trained and analytical, making their own judgments," and "They understand and judge the candidate's past, actions, and achievements."
On May 4, 2017, Moon Jae-in, then the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, attended a focused campaign rally at Ilsan Cultural Park in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, appealing for support. / Photo by Asia Economy DB [Image source=Yonhap News]
However, fandom politics is not without its downsides. Some overly zealous supporters cause political polarization through extreme actions. In 2017, Moon's hardcore supporters caused controversy by sending abusive text messages and so-called '18 won donations' to intra-party primary rivals.
Attempts to suppress diverse opinions within the party by sending text bombing have raised concerns among lawmakers. Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon expressed dissatisfaction on Facebook last year, saying, "Whenever signs of reflection on unfairness within our camp appear openly, coordinates are marked, text bombs are sent, and they are forced to shut up."
Lee is also reported to be cautious about some 'unexpected actions' by parts of his new supporters while actively embracing them.
On the 19th, Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Sung-ho wrote on his Facebook, "I received a call from Advisor Lee Jae-myung, and he is very worried about his supporters and the party," adding, "He said lawmakers are being bombarded with text messages, and he asked for a message appealing for restraint because it is embarrassing and regrettable for both senders and receivers."
He continued, "No matter how good the intentions are, if it feels like collective coercion to someone, it is undesirable," and "Division and anger only reopen our own wounds."
Experts say fandom culture is a common phenomenon in domestic politics but advise that hardcore supporters should not excessively pressure party members.
Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon explained, "Even during the presidencies of Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam, there were passionate supporters reminiscent of today's fandoms," adding, "Except that fandom activities have moved online over time, fandom phenomena have always coexisted in Korean politics."
He continued, "Fandom politics has great influence, but if it grows too large, problems can arise, such as lawmakers with convictions being unable to voice their opinions," advising, "There needs to be a balance to prevent hardcore supporters from putting too much pressure on lawmakers' activities."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
