"Today President Yoon"... Idol Breaking 'Martial Law Alert' on Late-Night Radio

Broadcast from 10 PM to midnight
Fans say, "In all my life, I've never seen a scene like this"

Lim Chang-kyun, known as I.M, a member of the idol group Monsta X, became the first idol in history to deliver a 'martial law breaking news' announcement on a late-night radio broadcast.

On the 3rd, starting at 10 PM, I.M was hosting KBS Cool FM's "Monsta X I.M's Kiss the Radio." I.M has been the DJ for this program since July. This show is a late-night radio broadcast that runs from 10 PM to midnight. President Yoon Seok-yeol's emergency national address announcing the 'martial law declaration' was broadcast around 10:30 PM that day.

Monsta X member I.M delivering breaking news of martial law declaration during a late-night radio broadcast. Screenshot from X

At that time, I.M's delivery of the martial law breaking news was transmitted live on the radio broadcast. In a serious tone, he said, "We have breaking news. This afternoon, President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law." During the announcement, his tense expression was evident as he bit his lower lip tightly.

Netizens who listened to the broadcast reacted with disbelief, saying things like, "He became the first idol in history to deliver martial law breaking news," "I heard it live on air. It was a moment my heart dropped," and "Never thought I'd hear martial law breaking news from an idol's mouth."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen announcing the lifting of the emergency martial law through an additional statement in the early morning of the 4th at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, in the early hours of the 4th, the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift the martial law with unanimous approval from all 190 members present. Subsequently, President Yoon announced in an emergency address around 4:25 AM that he accepted the National Assembly's request to lift the martial law. This means the martial law was lifted about six hours after it was declared.

The tense moments from late night on the 3rd to early morning the next day reportedly shook not only the political world but also the entertainment industry. Singer Lee Seung-hwan, who was scheduled to hold a concert that day, canceled the performance following the martial law declaration but later announced the resumption of the concert after the martial law was lifted, saying, "Sorry for the confusion. Today, I will meet you with deeper and richer stories and songs."

Meanwhile, British singer Dua Lipa was also scheduled to perform in Seoul at the Gocheok Sky Dome that day. Some are concerned that the aftermath of the martial law situation might disrupt Dua Lipa's concert schedule as well.