K-Pop Stars Support Impeachment Protests Against President Yoon Suk-yeol

As the impeachment crisis surrounding President Yoon Suk-yeol continues for over ten days, the reactions of K-pop stars have garnered significant attention. On December 13, IU's agency, Edam Entertainment, announced through their official fan cafe that they prepared food and hot packs for fans attending the protests in the cold weather, hoping to warm their hands holding light sticks (응원봉). The agency urged fans to prioritize their health and safety while visiting designated stores for the provisions.

Many who could not attend the protests have shown their support by pre-ordering warm coffee and kimbap for participants. Notably, the protests have been largely driven by young women in their 20s and 30s, who have opted for light sticks that can shine longer than traditional candles.

The atmosphere at the protests has been lively, with various idol songs playing, making it an event enjoyable for all ages. IU's gesture included preparing 200 pieces of bread, 200 drinks, 100 rice cakes, and 200 bowls of soup, with her agency sharing the names and addresses of the local bakeries and soup shops where fans could claim the food by simply stating they are 'Uena' (유애나), her fandom name.

On the same day, Girls' Generation's Yuri also participated in the pre-order initiative, sending a message to fans via a private messaging platform, encouraging them to enjoy kimbap and stay safe. She had pre-ordered kimbap from a nearby shop for fans who could show their 'Sowon Bong' (소원봉), the official light stick of Girls' Generation.

Yuri had previously reached out to fans, expressing her concern for their well-being in the cold and sharing her enjoyment of the protest songs, including their debut track 'Into the New World' (다시 만난 세계), which has become a popular anthem at the protests.

Additionally, singer Lee Seung-hwan performed live at the protests, openly sharing his thoughts on President Yoon. He sang three songs, including 'As Much as Love is Spread in the World,' and creatively altered his lyrics to reflect the impeachment sentiment, stating, 'How wonderful it would be if we could impeach Yoon Suk-yeol.'

After his performance, Lee expressed his disappointment at having to return to such protest stages, recalling his past experiences at similar events in 2016 and 2019. He emphasized the importance of living with integrity over mere success and expressed hope for a future where such protests are no longer necessary.

In Busan, actor Choi Min-sik, while accepting an award at the 25th Busan Film Critics Association Awards, reflected on the current state of affairs, expressing gratitude for the recognition while lamenting the struggles faced by the younger generation. He conveyed his apologies to them for the difficult circumstances they are enduring.

As the impeachment proceedings continue, the second vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon is scheduled for December 14 at 4 PM, coinciding with a candlelight vigil in Yeouido.