There’s a very specific reason why Koreans have started bringing their K-Pop glow sticks to protests.
When it comes to protests, South Koreans are known to take the peaceful route: it involves a candlelit concert with protesters singing resistance songs while waving candles in unison. This was the case in 2008, when Koreans protested beef imports from the United States, and in 2016-2017, when they protested by asking the former president Geun Hye Parkresignation.
Now, as Christmas carols turned cries for change fill the streets of Seoul in December 2024, South Koreans once again raise their candles for the President Yoon Suk YeolTrump’s impeachment after his six-hour martial law left the nation in panic and fear.
🕯🎄🕯
Everyone~
🎄Impeachment🎅is the answer🎁
🎄Impeachment🤶is the answer🕯 pic.twitter.com/VRQweWVWqc— Candlelight Movement (@candlemove) December 5, 2024
So where do K-Pop lightsticks fit into this image?
The presence of the popular boy group Lightstick at the protest against the impeachment of the South Korean president goes viral
It was during the 2016-2017 protests that K-Pop glow sticks became somewhat of a staple in South Korea’s candlelight protests.
Before that, protesters had stuck to tapered candles. But when political Kim Jin Tae of the Saenuri Party (a predecessor of the current ruling People Power Party) commented on this “candles are blown out by the wind”, in an attempt to discourage protesters and downplay the severity of the protests…
Candles are just candles. They will all come out when the wind blows. Having said that, I would like to point out that people’s minds also change in this way.
—Kim Jin Tae
…Koreans got creative and started bringing light sources that would have been impossible to turn off.
K-Pop glow sticks, often brighter than candles, have become a favorite among protesters along with LED candles and even flashlights. Fandoms across multiple generations of K-Pop have united, leaving behind iconic images like this:
Isn’t it nice to do what I believe is right and what I love most at the same time? It’s a great experience to try. It will become a trusting love for the rest of your life.
For reference, the slogan of the losers of 2016 is:
“Harvesting the brightest light we have” https://t.co/XcAYSQX6Ac pic.twitter.com/PrkWmGi8EW— Aran🍊(closed) (@n_aran_ja) December 5, 2024
You have no idea how great it feels to do “what I think is right” and “what I love” at the same time. It will be a wonderful experience. It will make you proud for the rest of your life. For reference, in 2016, fan girls came together with the slogan “With the brightest lights we’ve got.”
— @my_orange_home/X
As the weekend approaches, Koreans are preparing for another battle for democracy, and inspired K-Pop fans promise to raise their glow sticks bright and proud.
- “Will my Wanna One light wand light up? I’m going to try it right now.”
- “I bought the Epik High light stick to take with me to the concert, but I think I’ll use that first.”
- “Come on, ARMY bomb.”
- “My WINNER light wand isn’t the brightest, but I’ll bring it.”
- “I’ll bring my King Blade.”
Read more about President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law here:
Why did South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declare a 6-hour emergency martial law?
