IU Supports Fans at Impeachment Rally Amid Controversy

Singer and actress IU (아이유) has shown her support for fans attending a rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열), but her actions have sparked a wave of negative comments online. Recently, IU's social media comment section became a battleground as some users criticized her, labeling her '좌이유' (leftist IU), while her fans rallied to defend her with positive comments.

The situation escalated following a chaotic political climate in South Korea. On December 3, President Yoon unexpectedly declared a nationwide state of emergency, which was lifted the next morning due to swift action from the National Assembly. This declaration led to calls for impeachment against Yoon, particularly after the first impeachment motion failed due to a lack of votes from ruling party members.

As a second impeachment motion was introduced, a large rally was planned outside the National Assembly in Yeouido on the day of the re-vote. In a show of solidarity, IU prepared meals, snacks, and drinks for fans attending the rally, which drew criticism from some online users.

On December 13, the day before the vote, IU's team announced on her official fan cafe that they had arranged food and hot packs for fans braving the cold with their light sticks (응원봉) at the rally, hoping to warm their hands. They shared that IU had pre-paid for 200 pieces of bread, 200 drinks, 100 rice cakes, and 200 bowls of soup at local cafes and restaurants.

While many fans praised IU for her thoughtfulness, others from far-right online communities condemned her actions, calling for boycotts of products she endorses and even suggesting reporting her to the CIA alongside other celebrities who supported the impeachment rally.

The backlash escalated to a point where IU's social media accounts were bombarded with hateful comments. In response, her fans began to flood her comment sections with supportive messages, attempting to drown out the negativity. The situation has raised questions about whether the online harassment will subside as fans continue to stand by IU.