"THIS is how you do a protest" — Internet reacts to South Koreans playing aespa's 'Whiplash' demanding President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment

On December 6, 2024, South Korean citizens gathered outside the National Assembly in Seoul, playing Aespa’s song, Whiplash, to amplify calls for the resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol. According to the official account of @AboutMusicYT, a clip of citizens protesting in Seoul went viral online.

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law late on December 3, 2024, citing alleged “anti-state activities” by opposition lawmakers in the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). He accused the parliament of undermining democracy and obstructing his administration.

The military briefly surrounded the National Assembly building, but the move was met with immediate resistance from lawmakers and citizens. Within six hours, the National Assembly overwhelmingly voted (190-0) to revoke the decree, forcing the president to lift martial law on December 4 at 4:27 AM.

The declaration deepened public dissatisfaction with President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration, whose approval ratings plummeted to historic lows. Surveys indicated that over 58% of South Koreans favored his resignation. Protesters viewed the martial law declaration as a blatant overreach, sparking mass demonstrations nationwide.

Global internet users reacted to the viral clip of South Koreans protesting in favor of the President's resignation. One internet user highlighted that this is how one should protest and wrote on X:

"ok the number of people with lightsticks and minecraft torches is incredible THIS is how you do a protest."

Netizens mentioned that South Koreans turned a protest into a concert by bringing lightsticks and chanting on the beats of K-pop songs. They hailed it as "empowering."

"I love how everyone protests with kpop and lightsticks like its a concert lmao," one fan wrote.

"They're so real bc the beat itself is empowering, even the lyrics," another fan added.

"They treating protests like a concert and honestly i love that for them. Hope they achieve their goal soon," one other fan stated.

Some internet users recalled how students from Seoul National University played Girl's Generation, aka SNSD's track, Into The New World to protest, demanding the President's removal.

"It wasn’t the only one, SNSD into the new world is a national anthem for this," one fan shared.

"Korean always look like they're having the best time while protesting a president impeachment," another fan commented.

"Something about Koreans using Kpop music to protest against the government and oppression is just amazing," one other fan wrote.

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Protests erupt in South Korea as citizens demand President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation

BBC reported that the opposition bloc, comprising six parties, submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeok, accusing him of orchestrating an unconstitutional “coup.” The impeachment vote, scheduled for December 7, could suspend Yoon Suk-yeol from office if approved. The prime minister would then assume interim leadership, pending a Constitutional Court ruling within 180 days.

Additionally, Reuters reported that prosecutors have launched investigations into President Yoon Suk-yeol's actions, including potential charges of insurrection—a serious offense exempt from presidential immunity.

Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly played a key role in martial law enforcement, was dismissed and is now under a travel ban. Opposition leaders have also called for investigations into Interior Minister Lee Sang-min and military officials involved in the declaration.

Reuters reported that although President Yoon Suk-yeol apologized for the chaos caused by his martial law decree, he refused to resign. His conservative ruling party, the People Power Party, pledged to block impeachment efforts, further polarizing the political landscape.

"I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked. I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilise the political situation in the future, including the issue of my term in office," President Yoon Suk-yeol said in a televised address.

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Martial law had not been imposed in South Korea since its democratization in 1987, permitted military intervention in civil matters, restricted freedoms, and curtailed parliamentary immunity.