[Current & Culture]A Playlist Inspired by Recent News

A Series of "Ipteulmak" Incidents by Presidential Security
Songs Like "Shut Up" and "Mal Dallija" Come to Mind

Jaek Lee, Novelist · SBS Radio PD

“Ipteulmak” is an abbreviation of the phrase “covering one’s mouth.” It is used in two main situations: when someone instinctively covers their mouth in surprise, and when someone else is prevented from speaking by having their mouth covered. This word, which used to be seen only in community comments, has recently been appearing frequently in news headlines, in the latter sense.

The first “ipteulmak” scene occurred on January 18 at the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province inauguration ceremony. Progressive Party lawmaker Kang Seong-hee shook hands with President Yoon Seok-yeol and kept trying to speak, but when she was distanced by the presidential security staff, she shouted:

“You shouldn’t do this, Mr. President. You need to change the government’s policy direction.”

Then, a security guard covered Kang’s mouth and carried her out of the venue. The presidential office said it was a security measure, but it is hard to understand what threat Kang posed. Even if security measures were necessary, was it appropriate to cover her mouth and drag her out? The presidential office seemed confident it was appropriate, considering they took the same action just a month later.

On the 16th of this month, at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) graduation ceremony, a graduate shouted in protest to President Yoon during his congratulatory speech about the cuts to research and development (R&D) budgets, and was dragged out by security guards with his mouth covered. Some interpret this politically because the graduate is affiliated with a particular party, but the undeniable fact is this: he was the main participant at the ceremony, and the president was the guest of honor. The people who brought the guest covered the host’s mouth and dragged him out. Moreover, did the graduate say anything wrong? The cry of a graduate protesting R&D budget cuts at KAIST, the cradle of engineering in our country, is completely understandable. Did this student throw garbage or eggs? Even if his shout was considered rude, “ipteulmak”?

The third “ipteulmak” incident happened earlier but was revealed later. This time it involved a doctor. Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Pediatric Society, was also forcibly dragged out by presidential security staff with his mouth covered when trying to enter a medical reform public discussion on the 1st. Lim was eventually arrested and questioned by the police late into the night. So, the presidential security’s “ipteulmak” measure does not discriminate. Lawmakers, graduate students, and pediatricians alike were equally silenced and dragged out. Even I, a broadcasting PD, might have been “ipteulmak” if I had shouted this column aloud instead of publishing it in print. Well, having had a similar experience once, the shock might be a little less than for others.

Several songs come to mind to soothe this frustration. “Shut Up” by Black Eyed Peas, with its vocal charm repeating the command to be quiet like a spell. “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by the bouncy new wave punk group Ting Tings. The quirky music video might not be for everyone, but I highly recommend listening to the song. The song I most want to hear is this: “Mal Dallija” (Let’s Run) by Crying Nut.

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up and stay still.”

It wasn’t a song I wanted to listen to, but one I wanted to sing. Since singing it in front of the Blue House might get me “ipteulmak,” I want to sing it loudly at a coin karaoke in Hongdae.

We have to run. We have to fight lies. Let’s run!

Lee Jae-ik, Novelist & SBS Radio PD