Yet, amidst this turbulence, I find myself filled with both regret and hope. While I feel profound sorrow that the younger generation must witness such instability, I am deeply moved by the response of Millennials and Gen Z, particularly young women, who have been at the forefront of the impeachment demonstrations. They have transformed the nature of protest itself, replacing traditional candlelight vigils with cheerful light sticks from pop concerts. Even in the harsh winter weather, they continue their steadfast vigil, offering a glimmer of hope in what otherwise feels like a gloomy New Year.
From the end of last year until now, Koreans have been experiencing unusual political turmoil. This stems from the right-wing President staging what can only be described as a self-coup by declaring emergency martial law without legitimate justification. When fully armed special-forces surrounded the parliament, countless civilians rushed to the National Assembly, courageously confronting the heavily armed soldiers with nothing but their bare hands. The entire ordeal was livestreamed nationwide, leaving the country in shock. I, too, was left speechless, and my young child trembled with fear at what we witnessed.
Fortunately, through the combined efforts of the Members of Parliament (MPs) and the people, the martial law was lifted. However, the incident ignited widespread anger, leading to mass protests demanding the President’s impeachment. The MPs eventually passed the impeachment bill, and we now await the Constitutional Court’s decision. While prosecutors have attempted to indict the President for treason, fierce battles between opposing sides continue, leaving many feeling that the nation is in the grip of a constitutional crisis.
I had believed that democracy in my country was strong and stable, but this situation has shown me how fragile it can be. Throughout this crisis, people have become disillusioned by the selfish and reckless behaviour of many political leaders. Personally, I’ve been deeply troubled by the growing influence of far-right voices that seem to be gaining traction amidst the chaos.
This crisis has forced both me and my child to confront difficult questions. She asks why so many political and social leaders prioritise personal gain over democratic values, and why our democracy seems so vulnerable. As a parent, I struggle to explain such an absurd and disheartening situation to the younger generation.
Yet, amidst this turbulence, I find myself filled with both regret and hope. While I feel profound sorrow that the younger generation must witness such instability, I am deeply moved by the response of Millennials and Gen Z, particularly young women, who have been at the forefront of the impeachment demonstrations. They have transformed the nature of protest itself, replacing traditional candlelight vigils with cheerful light sticks from pop concerts. Even in the harsh winter weather, they continue their steadfast vigil, offering a glimmer of hope in what otherwise feels like a gloomy New Year.
As a practitioner of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), I believe we have a responsibility to respond to this moment. We must actively engage with young people’s questions and reflect their passionate commitment to democracy in our work. Through theatre, we can help process these challenging times and strengthen our collective hope for both democracy and the arts.
