Tens of thousands of South Korean protesters have gathered to call for the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol, participating in demonstrations that feature traditional percussion music, the pop genre known as trot, and the hit song "Whiplash" by girl group Aespa.
Protesters have left rallies singing an adapted version of "Feliz Navidad," with the repeated opening verse stating, "Impeachment is the answer." This adaptation was performed by its creator, Baek Jae Gil, outside the National Assembly in Seoul, following Mr. Yoon's brief declaration of martial law. The song has gained significant traction online, amassing nine million views on X and spreading across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, with translations available on WeChat.
Baek Jae Gil, a 52-year-old professional musician known as Baekja, has a long history of activism, having witnessed a shift towards more peaceful protests since his first rally in 1989. Reflecting on the past, he recalled the violent repression of pro-democracy movements, particularly the 1980 Gwangju uprising, which left a lasting impact on his family.
After moving to Seoul for better opportunities, Baek began writing poetry and later turned his works into songs. He first performed publicly in 1990 at a pro-democracy protest and has since been a consistent presence at demonstrations, often performing amidst tear gas and unrest.
Over the past two decades, police tactics against protests have become less violent, with significant changes in protest culture noted during the candlelight vigils of 2002 and the peaceful protests that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in 2016. Baek observed that protests have transformed from somber events to more vibrant and celebratory gatherings.
His adaptation of "Feliz Navidad" was inspired by the spirit of these recent protests, particularly following a tragic crowd crush in Seoul that resulted in over 150 fatalities. Baek aimed to create a festive song suitable for the Christmas season, which has resonated well with the public.
Despite facing challenges, including accusations of copyright infringement from a government broadcaster, Baek continues to advocate for free speech and artistic expression. At recent protests, he energized the crowd by encouraging them to dance and celebrate, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere amidst the cold weather.
As he performed his anthem again at the latest protests, Baek rallied the crowd with calls for action, stating, "Let’s make Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest our Christmas gift this year!"