"IU Supported Impeachment Rally... Felt Sad"
"Let's Strive to Be Supported by Talented Artists Like IU"
Singer IU prepaid food for fans participating in the rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, while a former emergency committee member of the People Power Party expressed regret, saying he was "sad."
Former People Power Party emergency committee member Park Eun-sik opened his remarks on the 22nd through his Facebook, saying, "I was sad to see the article that IU supported the pro-impeachment rally."
He said, "I thought she had talent since the days when she sang 'Boo' and 'Marshmallow,' and when she came to sing 'Naengmyeon' in place of Jessica from Girls' Generation, who was busy with schedules on 'Infinite Challenge,' I supported her even more as I saw her endure Park Myung-soo's rude remark, 'Who is she? Bring Jessica here,' and work hard. I was happy when I saw her stage hitting the three-step high note in 'Good Day' and thought, 'Finally, IU is rising!'"
He continued, "I was proud when she was recognized as an artist by the public after composing songs, and I was amazed to see her succeed as an actress in 'My Mister.' I can never forget the emotion I felt when I first heard the song 'Through the Night' after she enlisted in the military," adding, "I don't think she used to show political colors before..."
However, former lawmaker Park emphasized to some conservative supporters who are boycotting IU, "I hope they don't do that. In situations like this, the conservative right-wing should become a more attractive group and show efforts to be supported by talented artists like IU," he stressed. He urged, "Just as many artists, including Kanye West, came to support Trump and the Republican Party, and just as IU made painstaking efforts to be recognized by the public, our People Power Party should also move the public with such an image."
Finally, he concluded his post by saying, "Of course, gratitude should first be shown to the artists who have already supported the conservative party," and added, "I must make efforts myself."
Earlier, IU made headlines by revealing that on the 13th, she prepaid 200 breads, 200 drinks, 100 rice cakes, and 300 bowls of gukbap at five places near the National Assembly in Yeouido, including a bakery cafe, rice cake shop, and gukbap restaurant, for people participating in the impeachment rally.
At that time, IU's agency, Edam Entertainment, stated, "We prepared food and hot packs hoping that the cold hands of 'Uaena' (IU's fandom), who attend the rally holding IU light sticks and brightly light up the surroundings in the cold weather, would be a little warmer." They added, "Please pay close attention to your health and safety and visit the stores. Even if you are not a member of the official fan club 'Uaena,' if you participate in the rally, you can say 'Uaena' at the store and receive food, drinks, and hot packs on a first-come, first-served basis." However, afterward, a boycott movement against products of companies featuring IU as a model arose mainly in conservative-leaning online communities.
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