K-pop anthems of democracy
From former President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden declaration of martial law the night of Dec. 3 to his removal by the Constitutional Court on April 4, many South Koreans spent those 122 days protesting, marching and calling for democracy.
Amid the serious atmosphere at the demonstrations, one element stood out— the voluntary participation of younger generations and the powerful presence of K-pop music. Here are some of the tracks that lit up the night skies during the countless protests, uplifting the crowd and bringing people together.
Girls' Generation's "Into the New World"
'Into the New World' is the debut single of Girls' Generation, a legendary group that helped shape K-pop. Released in August 2007, the song features a stirring harmony of guitar, keyboard and drums and heartfelt lyrics of encouragement, all wrapped in a stirring melody.
This track, which echoed at many recent protests calling for Yoon's impeachment, has been used as a protest song since 2016. That year, when students at Ewha Womans University staged a sit-in against the university's plan to build a college of continuing education despite students' opposition, they sang this song to encourage each other as police gathered to break up the protest. From then on, the song began to carry the weight and spirit of a protest anthem.
It continued to be heard during the demonstrations demanding the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Time and again, it has served as a song that unites citizens and shows their collective yearning for a new, better world.
Day6's "Time of Our Life"
This track by Day6, one of the most exciting bands in the Korean music scene today, also became a staple at impeachment protest rallies.
'Time of Our Life,' the lead track from the band's fifth EP, "The Book of Us: Gravity," released in July 2019, compares moments spent together to pages in a book—celebrating the value of the present and the hope of a shared future.
With Day6's signature refreshing and heart-pounding rock sound, the song has often been played at graduation ceremonies and festivals. Its bold message — making the present moment unforgettable — made it a perfect fit for protests. As it is easy to sing along to and full of youthful energy, it quickly became a crowd favorite at impeachment rallies.
G-Dragon's "Crooked"
G-Dragon, a K-pop icon who recently thrilled fans with his first album in eight years and a new world tour, also lent his voice to the recent impeachment protests through his music.
Chanting the opening line, 'Nothing lasts forever,' demonstrators found the courage to continue the fight and stand in solidarity for the society they dream of.
'Crooked,' released in September 2013 as one of the main tracks from G-Dragon's second LP, "Coup D'etat," features a catchy, repetitive melody that easily sparks mass sing-alongs at protest gatherings. Blending punk rock, rap and dance music, the track's pounding beat is matched by G-Dragon's sometimes childlike, sometimes fierce vocals —making it both emotionally charged and an irresistible anthem.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
15 hours ago
- Korea Herald
APEC adopts joint pledge to boost food security
Member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation pledged to accelerate innovation to bolster food security, adopting a joint declaration at their ministerial-level meeting in Seoul on Sunday. According to Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the declaration reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable agri-food systems among the 21 APEC member countries. The grouping includes 12 economies in Asia — seven of them members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — five in the Americas, three in Oceania, and Russia. 'In the face of complex challenges, food security remains a significant issue with localized areas of acute hunger,' the joint statement read. 'Advanced technologies, policy tools and practices can enhance efficiency, boost productivity and improve resilience across the production, manufacturing, distribution and consumption of agri-food products.' It outlines strategies to tackle food security threats at every stage of production, distribution and consumption, while advancing the adoption of new technologies and bridging the digital divide. It also sets out future-oriented directions based on Korea's priority agendas of rural revitalization, support for young farmers and improved food accessibility. Following the adoption of the declaration, the meeting, chaired by Korea, continued discussions under the theme 'Driving Innovation in Agri-food Systems for Shared Prosperity.' Key discussions included a mid-term review of the 2030 food security roadmap, adoption of detailed operating rules for working-level food security policy talks, sharing of innovation-driven practices and cooperation on the use of artificial intelligence. 'It is deeply meaningful that all member economies have united to adopt the Ministerial Declaration at a time when food security carries profound global significance,' Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said at the meeting. 'I hope this meeting will help promote Korea's agri-food innovation policies, rooted in our experience in overcoming food crises, along with the value and excellence of K-Food+, thereby contributing to enhancing our nation's global standing.' While holding bilateral meetings with Vietnam and Malaysia to actively explore ways to expand exports of Korean agri-food products, Korea will also host a trilateral agriculture ministers' meeting with China and Japan on Monday to further strengthen cooperation on sustainable agriculture.
![[Herald Interview] Blackpink producer R.Tee seeks to shape the future of electronic music](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F08%2F10%2Fnews-p.v1.20250810.3a3bf55308d4410c9e0a10c9bbad9d60_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
15 hours ago
- Korea Herald
[Herald Interview] Blackpink producer R.Tee seeks to shape the future of electronic music
Versatile musician hopes to make electronic music a familiar part of Korea's cultural landscape Standing in the heart of his sleek, dimly lit studio, producer and DJ Kim Jung-gu -- better known as -- is framed by towering high-end speakers as he scrolls through tracks on twin monitors, searching for a one to play. Then 'Switch Out' bursts from the speakers -- a surge of pulsating techno and vibrant synths, pulling the body into its relentless rhythm. "Switch Out" is a track in his double single, dropped Sunday, which also includes "Damdadi," featuring vocals by Soyeon of I-dle. It's the start of a new chapter for the 35-year-old, long regarded as one of K-pop's most sought-after producers and the creative force behind mega-hits including Blackpink's 'Pink Venom,' 'How You Like That,' Lisa's 'Money' and Big Bang's 'FXXK It.' "If I previously focusead solely on producing music, now I will take on a larger role as a performer by actively releasing new songs, especially electronic music, under my name every one to two months, maintaining a steady flow of fresh work," told reporters in an interview on Friday at his agency in Seoul's Seongsu-dong. Leaving behind his legacy as a K-pop hit-maker, the 35-year-old parted ways with The Black Label -- a hip-hop label headed by producer Teddy, who crafted hit songs for Blackpink, 2NE1 and Big Bang -- and ventured on a new journey by establishing his own label, RTST Label, in July this year. "I was at The Black Label for about 10 years, since 2016. Looking back, I gave it my all -- or should I say, my entire youth? Along the way, I built deep friendships and gained a lot of musical knowledge and skills," he said. The single is latest foray into showcasing the power and accessibility of electronic music. "I really love electronic music, and I strongly believe in the power of electronic music as a genre, in particular its unique energy, which is so powerful it can even make someone lying in a hospital bed smile. I want to share this energy with others." "When people hear this song and other electronic music I will release in the future, I hope they'll say, 'Wow, there's someone in Korea who can make this kind of music,'" he said, adding, "Electronic music is not a difficult genre to listen to." "As an avid fan of electronic music, I would have to say that it's not easy for the general public to enjoy the genre casually because that often means going to lounges or clubs -- even if they don't drink -- and that's a bit inconvenient. Whereas in Amsterdam, for example, electronic music plays in cafes, making it part of daily life," said. "It might sound a bit overblown, but my goal is to create cultural content in Korea that gives electronic music that same kind of familiar, accessible presence so that more people can enjoy it comfortably. And I am confident about that," the musician added. He also expressed his confidence in the new single. "'Damdadi' was written in April last year, and I wrote more than 20 songs trying to come up with something better, but I couldn't. So I think people will like this song," he said. As for "Switch Out," said it's something unlike anything people have heard before -- a gift to electronic music fans that can make their listening experiences more dynamic.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
From boo to boohoo: Korean ghosts tug at heartstrings worldwide
From K-pop demons to grim reapers, Korean ghost lore captivates audiences with emotionally rich tales of sorrow, justice and healing Korea's traditional grim reapers, known as jeoseung saja, are gaining global recognition following their portrayal as key antagonists in the Netflix hit "Kpop Demon Hunters." The film follows shaman heroines who battle demons while performing as K-pop idols. Within two months of its release, it soared to become the fourth most-streamed movie on the platform, propelled by sustained global buzz. 'There's a growing sense that traditional Korean imagery feels more approachable and enjoyable, largely because Korean culture is now viewed so favorably and familiarly worldwide,' said culture critic Jung Duk-hyun. 'This positive perception plays a major role in making Korean folklore feel trendy and hip to global audiences.' Clad in dark robes and high-brimmed hats, these grim reapers exude a unique presence and emotional complexity, earning popularity rivaling the protagonists. Far from being purely malevolent, they are portrayed as tormented figures — a reflection of han, a uniquely Korean concept of unresolved sorrow that permeates much of the country's ghost lore. Han is the emotional pain that lingers after a traumatic experience, preventing one from moving on. In Korean supernatural tales, this sentiment explains why spirits remain earthbound — not to terrorize, but to seek closure for injustices or deep regrets. This emotional nuance distinguishes Korean folklore from some of the more dualistic ghost narratives in the West. Rather than evil for evil's sake, Korean spirits are often driven by sorrow, guilt, or betrayal. In "Kpop Demon Hunters," Jinu — the leader of the K-pop boy band Saja Boys — embodies this layered grief. Though transformed into a demon after abandoning his family, his actions stem from guilt and pain, not malice. 'The reapers, especially Jinu, show characteristics of Korean ghosts,' said Jung. 'Korean spirits are often defined not by violence, but by han — a sorrow that compels them to seek understanding from the living rather than inflict harm without reason.' This storytelling tradition casts the supernatural not as monstrous, but as deeply human. In the 'Legend of Arang' from Miryang, for example, a young woman's ghost haunts magistrates not to frighten them, but to seek justice for her death during an attempted assault. Adaptations of such folklore in modern dramas and films often preserve this emotional complexity, blending traditional themes with contemporary storytelling. TvN's 2016 hit series "Dokkaebi (Goblin)" reimagines Korean mythology in a modern setting, exploring han through two central figures: the Goblin, cursed with immortality, and the Reaper, who guides souls to the afterlife. Both characters are burdened by past sins. The Goblin is haunted by those he failed to save, while the Reaper is tormented by having ordered the Goblin's execution in a past life. Their inability to move on mirrors the unresolved sorrow central to Korean ghost stories. This emotional depth continues to shape contemporary content. The SBS series "The Haunted Palace" received praise for portraying diverse spirits shaped by the circumstances of their deaths. The show achieved an 11 percent viewership rating by focusing on the living engaging with spirits' emotional wounds, not just confronting the supernatural. At the heart of Korean ghost narratives is the idea that spirits find peace through communication, not confrontation. In "Kpop Demon Hunters," even in his demon form, Jinu seeks to share his pain, not inflict it. 'Unlike Western fantasy, which often resolves conflict through exorcism, Korean stories are about listening to the dead and helping them release unresolved sorrow,' Jung noted. This storytelling approach invites audiences to empathize with the supernatural and participate in a journey toward healing. Culture critic Kim Heon-sik attributed the growing global fascination with Korea's supernatural traditions to their unique visual and emotional elements. 'Their distinct Korean identity makes them more intriguing,' he said. 'And by integrating ghostly elements into pop culture, especially K-pop, they've become even more appealing.' Kim also emphasized that the success stems in part from subtlety. 'When nationalism or symbolic depth is overemphasized, it can alienate audiences. What made these stories resonate is that they left room for interpretation — letting viewers explore and connect on their own terms.'
