G-Dragon and Go Hyun-jung Join Protests Against Emergency Martial Law

K-pop star G-Dragon has expressed his discontent with President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law by liking a post from poet Ha Sang-wook. Following G-Dragon's lead, actress Go Hyun-jung showed her support by commenting with a candle emoji on a post by director Byun Young-joo.

On December 6, Byun shared a statement from students of Ewha Womans University, emphasizing the importance of standing firm to protect one's dignity regardless of what tomorrow brings. The students condemned the emergency martial law declared on December 3, stating, 'We witnessed the military stepping into the National Assembly and soldiers pointing guns at citizens for the first time.'

The statement also reflected on the significance of 1997, the year of Korea's first peaceful transfer of power, urging that 'we can no longer tolerate the death of any youth.' Byun, an alumna of Ewha's law department, expressed her solidarity with the students.

Notably, Go Hyun-jung's comment with a candle emoji symbolizes support for peaceful protests. The two will collaborate in the upcoming SBS drama 'Praying Mantis,' which tells the story of a police officer investigating a case mimicking a notorious female serial killer known as 'Mantis.'

G-Dragon's indirect protest came after he liked Ha Sang-wook's Instagram post featuring a line from his poetry collection, which read, 'Just please go away on your own.' This action has led to speculation that G-Dragon was voicing his disapproval of the martial law.

Other celebrities have also spoken out. Actress Lee El posted on Instagram about the protests occurring in Gwanghwamun and the National Assembly, suggesting that the rain falling on the demonstrators was akin to their tears. She later shared a statement condemning the illegal declaration of martial law.

Rapper E-Sens also criticized the situation, questioning how someone who declares martial law and threatens the public can be the president of South Korea.

On December 3 at 10:29 PM, President Yoon declared a nationwide emergency martial law, but just two and a half hours later, the National Assembly voted unanimously to lift it. The announcement of the martial law's repeal was made at 5:40 AM on December 4, and a motion for impeachment against President Yoon has since been introduced in the National Assembly, with a vote scheduled for December 7 at 7 PM.