Stopping the Repeat of History
On December 3rd, 2024, at approximately 10:30 PM KST South Korean President Yoon Sik Yeol announced on national television that he was enacting his Presidental power and placing the country into martial law. Merriam Webster Dictionary describes martial law as the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety. For each country martial law can be different in terms of how it can be used and what is affected within the country. For example, in the United States martial law may be declared by proclamation of the President or a State governor, the military commander of an area or country has unlimited authority to make and enforce laws when civilian authority has ceased to function, is completely absent, or has become ineffective.
This announcement caused an uproar from citizens and created panic for citizens that remember the last time South Korea had been under martial law. This is the first time the country has been under martial law since 1980’s. At that time the country was yet a democracy and still under dictatorship by Gen. Chun Doo-Hwan who overtook the country by coup in 1979 after the assassination of President Park Chung-Hee.
Within just a few minutes, citizens gathered outside of the national assembly to protest the latest announcement from President Yoon and his declaration of martial law on its country. In less than an hour of the announcement and the beginning of protest, the situation was being reported by global media and news outlets all over the world. Images of protesters, military personnel, police officers and military vehicles rolling down the streets of Seoul towards the national assembly.
K-Pop Fans Fears and Concerns
For many around the world hearing this news, they had several questions about what this would mean not only for the country of South Korea, but what it would mean for those serving in the military. For some K-Pop fans that meant feelings of fear and panic for the idols currently serving in the military as a part of mandatory conscription. These thoughts and fears for entertainers may seem a bit trivial to some. During a time of turmoil for this country, why concern yourself with the wellbeing of idols? “This moment is not about your oppa,” was a comment made by an Interational L-Pop fan in an online fandom group chat. And although I understood the sentiments behind that comment. I had to wonder how this was mentally and emotionally affecting those that are so closely tied and so closely invested in the safety and the well-being of their favorite idols.
It would not be unusual to think about family, friends or loved ones who are serving in the military at a time of civil unrest in the country they are serving. However, for many fans, idols have become an extension if sorts of their friends and family. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to imagine that some fans upon hearing the news of the upheaval and protest in South Korea would wonder about the safety and security of their favorite idols. Some idols, such as Kim Tae-Hyung, aka V of BTS is currently serving as part of the 707 (SDT), which is an elite unit of the Military Police Corps. Hours later it was reported that the 707, special forces unit was a part of the martial law military forces called to take control for the national assembly.
Hence, it is quite possible V along with fellow soldiers would have been one of many specialty officers called to act. In that moment, I realized that yes, I too was concerned for V and all the other military personnel and police officers that would was called upon to take over the assembly, push away protesters, and if by chance, martial law were to stay in effect, be ordered to do whatever the president may have called for them to do. Up until December 3rd, serving in the South Korean military for the minimum required 18 months, seemed like manageable without fear of a major incident. However, unfortunately, these 2 hours and 45 minutes of martial law sent many into a panic about what could actually occur.
IM of Monsta X, who has yet to begin his compulsory military service, was in the middle of hosting his nightly radio show KBS Cool FM’s ‘MONSTA X I.M’s Kiss the Radio’. when President Yoon announced he was implementing martial law. He announced on air this latest update even saying can you believe an idol is making this important announcement. Completely caught off guard on what to say as he saw this news flash I.M. delivered the news to his listeners by saying “Breaking news: President Yoon Suk-Yeol has declared martial law this evening….an idol delivering martial law breaking news is something I never expected,” and “This might be a first in history—getting martial law news from an idol.”
For many around the world hearing this news, they had several questions about what this would mean not only for the country of South Korea, but what it would mean for those serving in the military. For some K-Pop fans that meant feelings of fear and panic for the idols currently serving in the military as a part of mandatory conscription. These thoughts and fears for entertainers may seem a bit trivial to some. During a time of turmoil for this country, why concern yourself with the wellbeing of idols? “This moment is not about your oppa,” was a comment made by an Interational L-Pop fan in an online fandom group chat. And although I understood the sentiments behind that comment. I had to wonder how this was mentally and emotionally affecting those that are so closely tied and so closely invested in the safety and the well-being of their favorite idols.
It would not be unusual to think about family, friends or loved ones who are serving in the military at a time of civil unrest in the country they are serving. However, for many fans, idols have become an extension if sorts of their friends and family. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to imagine that some fans upon hearing the news of the upheaval and protest in South Korea would wonder about the safety and security of their favorite idols. Some idols, such as Kim Tae-Hyung, aka V of BTS is currently serving as part of the 707 (SDT), which is an elite unit of the Military Police Corps. Hours later it was reported that the 707, special forces unit was a part of the martial law military forces called to take control for the national assembly.
Hence, it is quite possible V along with fellow soldiers would have been one of many specialty officers called to act. In that moment, I realized that yes, I too was concerned for V and all the other military personnel and police officers that would was called upon to take over the assembly, push away protesters, and if by chance, martial law were to stay in effect, be ordered to do whatever the president may have called for them to do. Up until December 3rd, serving in the South Korean military for the minimum required 18 months, seemed like manageable without fear of a major incident. However, unfortunately, these 2 hours and 45 minutes of martial law sent many into a panic about what could actually occur.
IM of Monsta X, who has yet to begin his compulsory military service, was in the middle of hosting his nightly radio show KBS Cool FM’s ‘MONSTA X I.M’s Kiss the Radio’. when President Yoon announced he was implementing martial law. He announced on air this latest update even saying can you believe an idol is making this important announcement. Completely caught off guard on what to say as he saw this news flash I.M. delivered the news to his listeners by saying “Breaking news: President Yoon Suk-Yeol has declared martial law this evening….an idol delivering martial law breaking news is something I never expected,” and “This might be a first in history—getting martial law news from an idol.”
What Have I Learned
In no way, shape or form, am I commenting on the events that took place in South Korea on December 3rd. It is not my right as I am not a citizen of the country, with no family or IRL friends living there. My county has its own issues and malfunctions, with uncertainty to come in the upcoming year. However, as someone who is fully engrossed in Korean culture, including politics, I felt the need to voice my opinion, and support others who not only voiced their opinions but concern for a country they have grown to love and adore. K-Pop fans have invested in not only the culture and entertainment but the entertainers themselves which we have grown to love.
Being a global citizen means also being concerned for the wellbeing of those around the world. I wonder if not for their concern for the safety and well-being of their “oppa”, would some Netizens pay attention to the current political friction happening in South Korea. I have witnessed fandoms coming together on social media to educate, support and share information. I truly hope the political climate in South Korea stays on the mind of K-Pop fans who will support Korean citizens as they protest and seek out the best from their government. As one of my online mutuals said, all of this is beyond what is happening to more than a handful of idols fulfilling their mandatory conscription. This is about the future of millions of people who want the best for themselves, their family and their country.
Currently, thousands of Korean citizens daily in the cold, day and night are collectively protesting for the resignation or impeachment of President Yoon. Among these protesters are several thousand K-Pop fans and non-fans using fandom light sticks instead of candles typically used doing these types of protest. When some protesters were asked by Korea Now, an online news media outlet in South Korea, about the use of fandom light sticks. Some noted that suing light sticks was in response to a lawmaker saying, “Candlelight will go out if there is strong wind.” Needless to say, thousands of light sticks make a strong impact throughout the night showing the resilience of young people making their voices heard.
Until Next Time….
(For more information about martial law, the 1979 Coup, the Gwangju Massacre, and the current protest rallies in Seoul, please click on the hyperlinks throughout the article)
The Melanin Ajumma 