Entertainment figures face backlash for supporting President Yoon’s impeachment protests.
A movement to criticize and boycott celebrities who supported the impeachment protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol has emerged, with some individuals creating lists of participants and even claiming to report them to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), sparking significant controversy.
The most prominent target of this backlash is singer IU.
On December 13th KST, IU’s agency, EDAM Entertainment, announced on her official fan cafe, “We’ve prepared food and hand warmers, hoping that the cold hands of ‘UAENA’ (IU’s fan club) holding light sticks at the protests will feel a little warmer.”
The food IU prepared included 100 servings of bread, drinks, soup, rice, and traditional Korean dishes like gukbap and gomtang, along with 100 packs of rice cakes. The agency added, “Please prioritize your health and safety when visiting these locations. The prepared food and items are available on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone participating in the protest, not just official fan club members.”
However, certain conservative online communities began calling for a boycott of IU. Some netizens expressed disappointment, saying, “I’ve canceled my Woori Bank card,” and “I used to be a fan of IU, but not anymore.”
In an extreme move, a post titled “Reported IU to the CIA” appeared on one online platform. The poster included a screenshot showing the submission of a report to the CIA’s website and encouraged others to join in, saying, “Let’s start a verification relay.”
The CIA operates an online tip-off platform where individuals can submit reports by providing contact details, such as email and phone numbers, and detailing the case.
The individuals involved in this reporting campaign have also encouraged the targeting of other entertainers. A list of artists and public figures alleged to have supported President Yoon’s impeachment has been compiled and circulated. The list includes IU, NewJeans, lyricist Kim Eana, actress Go Min Si, singers Yoon Jong Shin, Lee Seung Hwan, Yuri, Moon Byul, Park Hyo Shin, and others. Additionally, actors Choi Min Shik, Lee Dong Wook, Heo Sung Tae, and director Bong Joon Ho, along with composer Yoon Il Sang and comedian Park Myung Soo, were also mentioned.
These individuals are being criticized for supporting protests either by pre-purchasing food and goods for attendees or by making direct or indirect statements in support of President Yoon’s impeachment.
The backlash has drawn ridicule and disapproval from the public. Many netizens expressed their dismay, saying, “Why are domestic entertainers being reported to the CIA over a domestic issue?” and “This is embarrassing and absurd.”
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