"IU's Advance Payment Highlights Contemporary Values"…Fandom Impersonation Controversy Following Statement Release [Yoon Seok-yeol Dismissal]

DC Inside Gallery Statement

"Following the Constitutional Court's decision to dismiss President Yoon, we have drafted a statement based on long-standing discussions among fans to re-examine the constitutional significance and contemporary value of IU's advance payment support for the rally."

Immediately after the Constitutional Court decided on the 4th to dismiss President Yoon Seok-yeol, a statement supporting singer and actress IU’s encouragement of the presidential impeachment rally through last year’s ‘advance payment’ was released. However, some have expressed skepticism about the party behind this statement.

IU. Provided by Edam Entertainment

On that day, the DC Inside Female Celebrities Gallery began by saying, "We recall IU’s warm gesture of advance payment support, providing a total of 700 food items including gukbap (soup with rice), gomtang (beef bone soup), bread, rice cakes, and beverages for fans who attended the December 13, 2024 rally calling for President Yoon’s impeachment."

They continued, "IU quietly but clearly stood beside citizens exercising their freedom of expression through her choice. Although she did not reveal a political stance, she responded with ‘a meal of solidarity’ to protect the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of assembly."

They added, "Some groups distorted this meaning, mocked IU, and even claimed to have ‘reported her to the CIA.’ IU’s choice was an act of good courage toward democracy and a cultural insight ahead of its time. Her actions were a cultural practice of upholding the constitution."

Furthermore, "The Constitutional Court clearly acknowledged in today’s ruling that the president infringed upon the people’s political fundamental rights, the right to collective action, and freedom of occupation. In light of this judgment, the voices of the citizens IU supported were a legitimate outcry to protect the constitution," they stated.

They concluded, "Now we proudly say that IU is an artist who presented a new form of civic solidarity called the ‘advance payment culture for rallies’ and a cultural agent who preserved the breath of the constitution. Going forward, we will continue to support and encourage artists who act warmly without remaining silent before the truth."

Meanwhile, regarding this statement, Hankyoreh reported claims that IU anti-fans impersonated the fandom to write it.

Shortly after the statement was reported, someone presumed to be from IU’s fandom sent an email to Hankyoreh stating, “The Female Celebrities Gallery is not an IU fandom but a gallery where anti-fans are active.” They also clearly stated, “IU’s fandom has never issued any statement other than the official IU fan cafe.”

Previously, when a rally calling for President Yoon’s impeachment was held around Yeouido, Seoul, in December last year, IU made advance payments at restaurants and cafes for 100 pieces of bread, 100 drinks, and 100 bowls of gukbap for fans attending the rally. Some criticized IU by calling her ‘Jwauiyu’ (Leftist + IU).

Regarding this, IU recently said in an interview with a media outlet, "It’s true that I feel upset, and that’s not wrong. But I think that’s something I have to endure. However, if there are expressions that cross the line or movements that cause serious misunderstandings to the extent that the company feels ‘this cannot be overlooked,’ then sanctions are necessary."