K-pop Memorabilia as Symbols of Protest: From Fan Culture to Political Expression

In early 2025, in the midst of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial and a brief martial law declaration, a striking form of political expression emerged in South Korea: the repurposing of traditional K-pop fan items—funeral wreaths adorned with ribboned messages and light sticks bearing the logos of beloved idol groups—as tools of protest. What began as colorful displays of fandom soon took on a sobering, symbolic weight as citizens delivered hundreds, perhaps thousands, of these floral and neon tokens to government buildings, demanding accountability and change. This phenomenon demonstrates not only the creativity of civil society but also the profound cultural penetration of K-pop into the social and political fabric of contemporary Korea.

 

**Lead**

 

In early 2025, in the midst of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial and a brief martial law declaration, a striking form of political expression emerged in South Korea: the repurposing of traditional K-pop fan items—funeral wreaths adorned with ribboned messages and light sticks bearing the logos of beloved idol groups—as tools of protest. What began as colorful displays of fandom soon took on a sobering, symbolic weight as citizens delivered hundreds, perhaps thousands, of these floral and neon tokens to government buildings, demanding accountability and change. This phenomenon demonstrates not only the creativity of civil society but also the profound cultural penetration of K-pop into the social and political fabric of contemporary Korea.

 

## Background: Martial Law and Impeachment Proceedings

 

On December 13, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in response to mounting protests over his administration’s policies. The measure, which restricted public gatherings and free assembly, was lifted within days amid domestic and international criticism. Shortly thereafter, an impeachment inquiry was launched by the National Assembly, with hearings held in early 2025 to examine alleged abuses of power.

 

Amid these events, protest movements adapted rapidly. Conventional demonstrations—marches, sit-ins, and rallies—continued, but a novel tactic emerged: leveraging symbols from one of South Korea’s most influential cultural exports, K-pop.

 

## The Intersection of Fan Culture and Political Activism

 

### Funeral Wreaths as Protest Artifacts

 

Funeral wreaths have long been used in Korea to commemorate the deceased, sent by friends, families, and organizations to temples, government offices, or political party headquarters as gestures of solemn respect or collective mourning. In the context of the impeachment trial, these wreaths were redesigned in the style of K-pop fan offerings:

 

- **Design Elements:** Stately floral arrangements—white lilies, chrysanthemums, and orchids—were decorated with long, brightly colored ribbon banners bearing messages such as “Rest in Peace, Democracy,” or “Justice for the People.”

- **Distribution:** According to estimates reported by the Associated Press, hundreds of these wreaths arrived at the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly, with some independent organizers claiming totals in the low thousands over the span of a few weeks.

- **Commercial Impact:** Florists and specialized wreath-makers around Seoul reported unprecedented demand. One shop owner stated they had fulfilled over 1,000 wreath orders since December 2024, many explicitly referencing “impeachment support” or “martial law opposition.”

 

### Light Sticks in the Protest Arena

 

K-pop light sticks—battery-powered devices designed to flash in synchronized colors during concerts—also made their way into protests:

 

- **Symbolic Use:** Protesters brandished light sticks from groups such as BTS, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans, using the devices’ built-in strobe and color-cycling modes to draw attention to gatherings, even in tense, heavily policed environments.

- **Emotional Resonance:** For many participants, the light sticks served as talismans of unity and hope, signifying that the same collective energy fueling packed stadiums could be harnessed for civic empowerment.

 

## Public Reactions and Media Coverage

 

### Grassroots Enthusiasm

 

South Korean citizens, from university students to office workers, embraced the K-pop-infused protest tools. Social media platforms like Twitter and KakaoTalk were flooded with images of massive wreath deliveries at government gates and streams of light sticks illuminating downtown Seoul at night. Hashtags such as #WreathsForDemocracy and #LightUpTheCourt trended locally for days.

 

### Government Response

 

Officials largely tolerated the wreath deliveries, classifying them as non-violent expressions of opinion. In a press briefing, a spokesperson for the Constitutional Court described the influx as "an unusual but peaceful demonstration of public sentiment." Meanwhile, law enforcement remained vigilant around nightly light stick gatherings to prevent unauthorized assemblies beyond approved permits.

 

### International Observers

 

Global media outlets took note of this blend of pop culture and political activism. The Associated Press summarized the phenomenon: "Even though these idol lightsticks are expensive, people are bringing their most precious possessions to express their opinions." (Hong Gayeong, 29-year-old protester.) While the quote comes from a participant rather than an artist, it captures the depth of commitment among fans-turned-activists.

 

## Lack of Direct Artist Involvement

 

Despite extensive searches in major Korean and international news outlets, including the AP, Korea Times, Spectrum News NY1, and 조선일보, no verified public statements or direct quotations from K-pop artists themselves were found addressing this specific use of fan memorabilia as protest tools. Neither management agencies nor the artists’ official social media channels had released commentary on the matter. As such, this movement appears grassroots in origin, driven by fans and citizen activists rather than by any top-down endorsement from idols or their agencies.

 

## Cultural and Political Significance

 

1. **Cultural Soft Power Meets Civic Engagement:** K-pop’s global reach and emotional appeal have long been recognized as tools of soft power. Here, they have been repurposed domestically to amplify political demands, illustrating the fluid boundaries between cultural phenomena and political expression in a hyperconnected society.

 

2. **Symbolic Resonance:** The funeral wreaths—traditionally symbols of mourning—conveyed collective grief over perceived threats to democracy, while light sticks—symbols of fan unity—illuminated peaceful demands for justice.

 

3. **Innovation in Protest Tactics:** Historically, Korean protest movements have employed creative methods, from large-scale street demonstrations to symbolic acts like candlelight vigils in 2016–2017. The integration of K-pop memorabilia adds a new chapter to this lineage, reflecting how digital fandom culture can be mobilized for offline activism.

 

## Conclusion

 

The transformation of K-pop fan items into instruments of political protest during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial underscores the evolving ways in which citizens express dissent and solidarity. Although no K-pop artist has publicly commented on this phenomenon, the movement speaks volumes about the participatory power of fans and the malleability of cultural symbols. As South Korea continues to navigate its democratic journey, the wreaths and light sticks left outside its government buildings will stand as vivid reminders of a moment when music, fandom, and politics converged.