Malicious Comment Bomb on Kim Min-kyo and IU for 'Impeachment Remarks'... "Don't Pretend to Be Awake"

Lee Seunghwan Concert Gumi Concert Faces Backlash from Conservative Groups

Malicious comments are pouring in on social networking services (SNS) targeting celebrities who have voiced their opinions regarding the emergency martial law situation on December 3 involving President Yoon Seok-yeol (currently suspended from duty).

A YouTuber who introduced himself as a "patriotic American right-winger" revealed that he reported singer IU to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). IU Instagram, YouTube channel "Cheonjo-guk Parengi"

Actor Kim Min-kyo released a video parodying the December 3 Emergency Martial Law incident. YouTube

On the 22nd, actor Kim Min-kyo continued to receive malicious comments related to a parody video he released on the 19th. Netizens reacted sharply with comments such as "Min-kyo, we will report you to the CIA and the U.S. State Department," "This is left-leaning propaganda," "Pretending to be neutral but only parodying one side," and "Selective justice makes me sick." One netizen even referenced a 2020 incident where an elderly woman in her 80s was bitten to death by a dog owned by Kim Min-kyo, stating, "Zero deaths from the martial law incident, but two deaths from dog bites."

In the video released at the time, Kim Min-kyo portrayed President Yoon Seok-yeol, and comedian Lee Se-young played First Lady Kim Geon-hee. In the video, Kim Min-kyo declared, "Family members, listen carefully as this is an urgent announcement. As the head of the household, I hereby declare that I will strictly enforce discipline to correct the lax and negligent family order." He continued, "Ordering delivery food is an anti-family act that could lead to our family's financial ruin, so it is prohibited. Excessive smartphone use paralyzes communication among family members, so I will block communications." When the children protested, saying, "Dad, you're so strict," Kim Min-kyo dismissed them, saying, "Strict? From now on, slang like 'strict,' 'like,' or 'dislike' will also be regulated according to control."

When a child asked, "Shouldn't we vote as a family?" he threatened, "No voting allowed. If you don't listen, I'll call the soldier uncle." The video ends with the children resisting oppression by ordering delivery food and running away.

Besides Kim Min-kyo, other celebrities who support President Yoon's impeachment or have supported related rallies are also being targeted. Actress and singer IU (Lee Ji-eun) prepaid at several stores around the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 13th for participants in a rally calling for President Yoon's impeachment. Because of this, she became a target for CIA reports, and there were signs of a boycott against products and brands she endorses.

Comments on IU's SNS include aggressive remarks such as "I'm very disappointed. You should know that democracy includes two opinions," "Don't pretend to be an enlightened citizen," "The sight of people rushing to get free food looked exactly like communist rationing," and "Don't exploit citizens who are vulnerable to propaganda."

Regarding singer Lee Seung-hwan, who publicly expressed support for President Yoon's impeachment, some conservative groups opposed his scheduled concert in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, on the 25th, demanding its cancellation. Lee Seung-hwan requested via SNS, "I ask that the audience at the Gumi concert on the 25th refrain from responding to any rallies or protests scheduled nearby. Please maintain a certain physical distance and avoid actions that might provoke those individuals as much as possible." His legal representative law firm also stated, "If any damage occurs during attendance at the Gumi concert, please inform us. We will handle the legal procedures for damage recovery. All legal costs related to legal responses will be borne by Lee Seung-hwan."