Waving Lightsticks Instead of Candles, K-pop Group Singing... MZ Generation Changed It [Cheongchun Report]

K-Pop Hit Songs Echo at Impeachment Rally Site
Girls' Generation's 'Dasi Mannan Segye' Sees Surge in Listeners
Cheering Light Stick Rental Posts Also Follow

As rallies demanding the impeachment and resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol take place across the country, the protest culture is changing, especially among the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z). They attend holding idol light sticks and wave them in sync with K-pop songs. This contrasts sharply with the solemn and heavy atmosphere of past protests. Foreign media are also paying attention to this previously unseen protest culture.

'Impeachment Playlist' and MZ Waving Light Sticks

On the afternoon of the 11th, as the aftershocks of the emergency martial law continued, citizens attending the candlelight rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, were shouting slogans. Photo by Yonhap News.

Recently, on social media platforms like YouTube, 'Impeachment Playlist' and similar lists have been shared. The list includes songs such as Girls' Generation's "Into the New World," aespa's "Whiplash," "Supernova," DAY6's "Welcome to the Show," and SEVENTEEN unit BSS's "Fighting!" These songs are characterized by having many parts suitable for group singing or lyrics that can uplift and encourage people.

In particular, Girls' Generation's debut song "Into the New World" is being recognized as a new people's anthem following the December 3 emergency martial law incident. According to the domestic music platform Melon, the number of listeners for "Into the New World" increased by 23% during the week of December 3?9 compared to the previous week (November 26?December 2), starting from the day the emergency martial law was declared. This is believed to be influenced by the hopeful lyrics of the song. Lyrics such as "I can't give up, even if I face an unknown future and walls," and "Goodbye to the repeated sadness in this world" provide strength to those yearning for change.

On the afternoon of the 11th, as the aftershocks of the emergency martial law continued, citizens participating in the candlelight rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol marched toward the People Power Party headquarters, holding candles and cheering sticks in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

Citizens waving light sticks in sync with the 'Impeachment Playlist' can be easily seen at protest sites. Light sticks are considered essential items at recent rallies due to their portability and strong illumination. Consequently, there is active demand for acquiring light sticks. According to Naver Data Lab Shopping Insight, from December 8 to 10, light sticks recorded the highest search volume in the lifestyle and health category, surpassing bidets and shower heads. The integrated Naver search volume graph over the past month also shows a sharp rise after the large-scale impeachment rally held on December 7.

On online secondhand trading sites, posts offering light sticks for rent are also easily found. A netizen living in Guro-gu, Seoul, said, "I will lend light sticks free of charge to those attending the protests," adding, "The deposit is 30,000 won, but if returned without any issues, the 30,000 won will be refunded."

"Protest and Eat"... Prepaid Donation Lines Also Continue

Screenshot of the 'Protest Also Eats' homepage

Meanwhile, near protest sites, lines of prepaid donations at nearby stores continue. As of the 13th, a coffee shop near the National Assembly had 100 cups of coffee prepaid, and a kimbap shop had 30 vegetable kimbaps, 20 cheese kimbaps, and 20 tuna kimbaps prepaid. Additionally, various items such as salt bread, financier cakes, sandwiches, and dumplings were prepaid for protest participants.

As the prepaid donation lines continue, a website organizing this information has also emerged. The "Protest and Eat" site displays the locations of prepaid stores nationwide, including Seoul, Gwangju, and Busan. The site provides real-time information on store locations, prepaid quantities, items, and order availability. The site developer revealed on X (formerly Twitter), "I couldn't participate in the protests due to health issues, so I wanted to do something I could."

Screenshot of the 'Online Candlelight Map' website

In addition, an "Online Candlelight Map" website has appeared. This map was created for those who cannot attend protests in person; users can select a location on the map and enter a message to light a virtual candle. Netizens left messages such as "Warm spring will come after the cold wind passes," "Let's return to a free daily life," and "May everyone's worries disappear" through the site.

Foreign Media Also Focus on Korean Protest Culture: "Colorful Light Sticks"

On the 13th, one day before the second impeachment vote of President Yoon Suk-yeol, citizens who stayed overnight in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, were holding placards from early morning, urging impeachment. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Foreign media have shown great interest in this protest culture. On December 7, AFP reported, "After President Yoon attempted to halt 'citizen rule' by deploying the military to the National Assembly and arresting lawmakers, protests erupted from the central square in Seoul to the National Assembly building," adding, "Participants joyfully ran around to K-pop music, waving colorful light sticks and LED candles, with some protests resembling dance parties."

Bloomberg also reported, "K-pop light sticks are gaining new life at rallies opposing President Yoon." It noted that while the lively atmosphere of K-pop masks the recent political turmoil in Korea, protest participants are not taking the situation lightly. Furthermore, Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) published an article titled "Changing Protest Scenes in Korea" on December 10, stating, "(The protests) showed the bustling atmosphere of a festival with entertainment elements while maintaining order. It evokes the image of next-generation democracy."