In brief
As large crowds in South Korea demand President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, the adapted tune of "Feliz Navidad" has become their anthem, symbolizing a historic shift in protest music.
In a wave of discontent against the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol, tens of thousands of South Koreans have gathered to express their desire for his impeachment through song and dance. At the forefront is musician Baek Jae Gil, known as Baekja, who transformed the classic Christmas song "Feliz Navidad" into a protest anthem, energizing demonstrators across the nation. The reimagined lyrics, which include the rallying call, “Impeachment is the answer,” have reverberated during protests near the National Assembly in Seoul. After Yoon's brief declaration of martial law last week, Baek performed the protest anthem live, which has gained immense traction online with millions of views across platforms like X, TikTok, and YouTube.The lyrics resonate passionately with protesters who chant, “If Yoon Suk Yeol gets lost, it’s a Merry Christmas,” bringing a festive twist to their serious demands for change. Baek, now 52, has dedicated decades to the pro-democracy movement in South Korea and has witnessed the evolution of protests from violent clashes to more peaceful gatherings, marked by cultural expressions such as music and dance.The composer’s contributions from the frontline of activism illustrate not only a call for political accountability but also highlight a generational shift in protest dynamics, where creativity and spirit are harnessed to confront political frustrations.
