“Backlash Against IU, Yuri, NewJeans After Impeachment Rally Support: Prepaid Vendors Face ‘Eat and Run’ Accusations”

Martial Law and Public Unrest in South Korea

On December 3rd, the announcement of martial law by President Yoon Suk-yeol caused widespread concern across South Korea. Though the emergency measures were retracted within 24 hours, protests calling for the president’s resignation and impeachment persisted, highlighting the nation’s ongoing political turmoil.

Changing Dynamics in Celebrity Involvement

A notable shift occurred as celebrities, who previously remained silent on political issues, began to publicly express their opinions. Many joined protesters on the streets wielding light sticks, while others supported the movement through charitable donations.

Acts of Solidarity from Prominent Figures

Director Park Chan-wook demonstrated his support by purchasing all the freshly baked bread from a bakery situated near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. He distributed these loaves to citizens involved in nearby protests, adorning the bread bags with stickers echoing sentiments such as “Decision to leave Yoon Suk-yeol” alongside messages challenging his governance.

In a supportive gesture, IU‘s management company, EDAM Entertainment, announced a plan to provide hot meals and warm packs to rally participants. They ordered food across five local establishments, preparing 200 loaves of bread, 100 rice cakes, 200 drinks, and 200 bowls of rice soup, aimed at uplifting the spirits of IU’s fans holding light sticks at the events.

Furthermore, well-known figures such as Yuri and Seohyun, who performed the rally’s anthem “Into the New World,” also participated actively. Yuri took the initiative to prepay for kimbap at a local shop, while Seohyun shared a thought-provoking image of Han Kang’s book “Human Acts” alongside the poignant lyrics of their anthem.

Support from New Artists

NewJeans, a popular girl group, took to social media to express solidarity, stating, “We prepared this in hopes of being of any help. Please stay safe and fighting!” They organized prepaid orders for kimbap, drinks, and even 500 servings of ginseng chicken soup, emphasizing their commitment to the cause.

Mixed Reactions to Celebrity Involvement

While the actions of these celebrities garnered commendations from many supporters, they also faced significant backlash. Following the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol in the National Assembly on December 14th, calls emerged for boycotting the endorsing celebrities. Netizens urged others to refrain from purchasing products associated with IU, Yuri, and NewJeans, who had publicly supported the movement through their contributions.

Concerns Over Vendor Misconduct

Compounding the issue were allegations regarding the conduct of prepaid food vendors. Many customers reported that some stores prioritized new onsite orders over those that were prepaid, leading to delays and frustrations. One netizen recounted their experience, explaining the challenges faced when trying to retrieve prepaid orders at a kimbap shop, where they endured a lengthy wait with little progress.

This prompted heated discussions online, with users criticizing the lack of accountability in the process. Comments such as “There’s no way to check if the prepaid amount was actually used” and “This is an abuse of goodwill” reflected the discontentment among consumers over how issues were handled by certain vendors.

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