"Support Us Like During the Impeachment": Demands for Jamsil Protest Support on IU's SNS Spark Controversy

Celebrities Who Expressed Support During the Impeachment Rally Targeted Excessive Comment Attacks for Not Taking a Stand on Specific Issues While a rally demanding a re-vote is ongoing in Jamsil, some internet users are stirring controversy by visiting the social media accounts of famous celebrities and asking them to provide support such as coffee trucks. On June 6, comments appeared on singer and actress IU's Instagram posts, saying, "You encouraged early voting and stressed the importance of exercising voting rights, but now you remain silent on the issue of voting rights violations," "The people's right to participate has been infringed. Please send a coffee truck to the protest sites in Jamsil and Gwanghwamun," and "Didn't you pre-pay for soup and coffee during the impeachment rally? Please support the protest participants again this time." Singer and actress IU. Photo by Yonhap News View original image Previously, following the controversy over a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, some protesters have continued to gather at the Jamsil 7-dong No. 2 polling station in Songpa-gu, Seoul, demanding a new election. At one point, tens of thousands of people reportedly gathered at the site. Amid this, some participants have publicly called on IU and other celebrities to provide support. Some internet users also demanded IU clarify her position, questioning, "Why are you staying silent on this issue?" These demands appear to have been raised by referencing IU's actions in December 2024, when she pre-paid for soup, bread, and beverages at shops around Yeouido for her fans who attended the rally calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. When IU provided meals and snacks at the time, malicious comments such as "Jwau IU" (left-wing IU) circulated in some online communities. Similar comments were posted on actor Lee Dongwook's Instagram account, who had expressed support during the impeachment rally and joined the pre-payment effort, with users asking, "Send Starbucks coffee to the protest against election fraud," "Why are you silent when national sovereignty is being violated?" "Isn't this selective democracy?" and "Please state your opinion." Actor Jo Inseong's social media account was also flooded with comments demanding he clarify his position. Earlier, in March, Jo appeared on MBC's "Questions by Sohn Sukhee" and mentioned that the timing of the overseas location shoot for the film "Humint" coincided with the 12·3 Martial Law Incident, leading to a sharp rise in exchange rates and a significant impact on the production budget. Some internet users responded by saying, "Why are you staying silent?" "What do you think about the current exchange rate?" and "You supported the impeachment, so why are you not expressing your stance on the infringement of voting rights and suspicions of election fraud this time?" In addition, it is reported that celebrities such as Yuri of Girls' Generation, actress Park Boyoung, the group NewJeans, director Hwang Donghyuk, and broadcaster Park Myungsoo, who expressed support during the impeachment rally, are also facing similar demands. Some point out that continuing to flood celebrities' social media accounts with comments demanding they state their position on specific issues is excessive.