On Dec. 6, in the afternoon, citizens are attending a candlelight rally near National Assembly Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, holding light sticks supporting the boy group NCT with the word impeachment, urging the impeachment of the president. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Foreign media are focusing on the K-demonstration filled with K-pop light sticks. Some are even calling it the next generation of democracy.

Reuters reported on the 10th that light sticks have become a “symbol of non-violence and solidarity,” replacing the traditional protest item of candles.

Reuters also provided a detailed introduction to a protest held on the 7th in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. In particular, it highlighted the scene where protesters demanded the resignation of the president to the tune of aespa’s ‘Whiplash.’

In a Reuters interview, Lee Seul Gi (36), who identified as a fan of the group ATEEZ, said, “In the past, rallies seemed a bit violent and were intimidating, but light sticks and K-pop have lowered the barriers to participation.”

Bloomberg also reported that “K-pop light sticks are gaining new life in the protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol.” However, they noted that the K-pop emanating from the protest sites is not taken lightly.

Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun assessed that, “while the protests showed the bustle of a festival with entertainment elements, they remained orderly,” projecting the image of “next-generation democracy.” The series of protests over the past weekend even led to light sticks becoming the top search item on e-commerce platforms.

On Dec. 9, around 6:50 p.m., citizens are gathering near National Assembly Station in Yeouido, Seoul, waving light sticks and candles. /Courtesy of News1

At the protests, in addition to ‘Whiplash,’ songs from the MZ generation like Girls’ Generation’s ‘Into the New World’ and G-Dragon’s ‘Crooked,’ as well as public songs like Yoon Soo Il’s ‘Apartment,’ and ‘March for the Beloved’ and ‘Gwangya’ were played. It transformed into a protest that everyone could enjoy, rather than feeling stiff.

Scenes of intergenerational consideration were also captured. According to the Headquarters of the Yoon Suk Yeol Resignation Movement, many from the 10s and 20s asked to play more people’s songs or middle-aged music. Among the middle-aged, MZ protest playlists have spread as they try to memorize the lyrics.

Meanwhile, the second vote on the impeachment motion for President Yoon Suk Yeol due to the declaration of martial law is scheduled for the 14th.