"Im Haeng-do Sings and Also Calls for Damanse"… K-Pop Now Becomes 'Minjung Songs'

Girls' Generation 'Damanse', aespa 'Whiplash', etc.
First used at Ewha Womans University rally in 2016

There is an analysis that K-pop is emerging as a new 'minjung song' (people's song). Amid rallies calling for President Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation following the declaration of martial law on the 3rd, the streaming rates of hit songs by groups such as Girls' Generation and aespa have surged.

In fact, at various candlelight rally sites, Girls' Generation's "Into the New World" and aespa's "Whiplash" were heard. "Into the New World" is a representative song by Girls' Generation released in 2007.

People of all ages, including the 2030 generation, the 4050 generation, and those aged 60 and above, are gathered together in Yeouido to participate in a resignation protest. Photo by Yonhap News

As the age range of protest participants has expanded, K-pop appears to be serving as a 'bridge between generations.' Songs by girl groups that were popular in the early 2000s are familiar to both the current 20s and 30s generation as well as those aged 40 and above.

On Melon, the country's leading music platform, the number of listeners for "Into the New World" increased by 23% during the week from December 3 to 9, starting from the day martial law was declared, compared to the previous week (November 26 to December 2). It is unusual for a 17-year-old song to show a 'reverse charting' phenomenon amid fierce competition among rookie groups on the Melon chart.

The first time "Into the New World" was used at a rally was during the so-called "Ewha Womans University incident" in 2016. At that time, when Ewha Womans University attempted to establish a lifelong education college, some students protested by taking to the streets, choosing "Into the New World" as a substitute for minjung songs. This attracted attention on social networking services (SNS) and other platforms.

As K-pop leads the protest atmosphere instead of protest songs, a phenomenon is also observed where idol culture spreads to the older generation. Screenshot from an online community

At this year's rallies, recent hit songs such as aespa's "Whiplash," DAY6's "If We Ever Meet Again," and BLACKPINK's Ros?'s "Apocalypse" are also being used. However, the reason "Into the New World" is primarily used lies in its 'message.' While lyrics of other idol hit songs are not closely related to the current situation, "Into the New World" is distinguished by containing a 'hopeful message toward the future.'

Older participants in the protests are also learning about young generations' idol culture through this event. Posts introducing the latest songs of idol groups with comments like "This is a song sung at recent protests" have been posted on online communities and KakaoTalk chat rooms. Additionally, the phenomenon of idol cheering culture being re-imported into protests is observed, such as LED light sticks commonly used at idol concerts replacing actual candles.