After the financial crisis of 2008, as the country's economy recovered, a generation of youth developed a trend of preferring solitude. They enjoy eating alone, drinking alone, or traveling and watching movies alone. In Vogue magazine, Monica Kinh wrote that they prefer to spend more time on themselves and let go of the pressure to marry and earn money. This makes them feel stressed and indifferent to others' views of them.
1. Generation:
This generation honors a personal lifestyle, confronts traditional norms, and expresses resistance through a solitary lifestyle. Korean youth find many ways to forget their boredom, notably "chivabi" (spending without a tomorrow) and "shiba beaut" (the vice and exceeding limits). These terms emerged in late 2016, describing the stress and despair of Korean youth in the face of life's pressures.
The circumstances before the revolution are clearer through the spread on social media of the phrase "hello" - meaning hell. This phrase reflects class discrimination in the Young era, with the ruling class enjoying full privileges, while the lower class suffers exploitation and loses their voice. Korean youth from lower classes often come from low-income families, lacking opportunities for social advancement, and they use this phrase to mock the wealthy class, those who inherited privileges from a young age.
The debate over this term became public in public opinion, posing challenges about the current difficulties that society faces. Even Korean politicians often use the word "hello" in parliamentary hearings, and it was more favored in the 2016 Election Campaign and the Blue House than in Japan.
The youth unemployment situation in Korea reached a record high in February 2016, at 12.5%, three times the national unemployment rate. Some fortunate youth who have jobs only achieve temporary or seasonal work, with salaries not commensurate with the country's economic growth. Meanwhile, the cost of living in major cities like Seoul and Busan continues to rise, while wages only increase by an average of about 1.34%, not in line with the average economic growth rate of 2.96% over the past five years.
Discontent among the youth is increasingly rising and exploded through an important open letter that appeared in early December 2013. The letter, posted by a student on the bulletin board of a prestigious university in Korea, created a shock. Starting with the question "Are you okay?" as a friendly opening, the author quickly raised a series of domestic issues.
2. The open letter:
The open letter scores the government for its decision to fire more than 4,000 workers protesting the privatization of the Korean railway company. The author also condemns the government's actions in removing dissenting witnesses. Additionally, he describes the painful emotions over the fact that many elderly people have committed suicide, reflecting their betrayal of society.
Youth, once dreaming of the future and expecting to be heard by the government, are facing dissatisfaction and disappointment. The Foster student movement has become a symbol of discontent as they feel forgotten by political parties, their voices ignored by the government, even though the policies implemented directly affect their future.
In the spring of 2014, President Park Geun-hye's government was unable to handle a tragedy. The Sewol ferry disaster resulted in 304 out of 476 deaths, mostly high school students. Reports revealed that this incident occurred due to the state's tolerance of private maritime enterprises, leading to lax compliance with safety regulations.
3. Outbreak:
In 2015, when the Middle East respiratory syndrome and MERS broke out, the Ministry of Health was criticized for not providing timely information, causing many serious consequences. This incident, along with the corruption in President Park's government, created increasing pressure on the youth demanding an investigation.
With the poor results from the government since President Park took office in 2013, the youth are facing disillusionment, as freedom and democracy in Korea decline from level 1.5. It will defeat the overwhelming opposition from Minju's opponent, Moon Jae-in, like the candles pushing to overturn the president.
The peak of the protests against Park Geun-hye was manifested through the candlelight revolution that took place from November 2016 to March 2017. Earlier, in October, Park's political scandal with her close friend Choi Soon-sil was exposed, leading about 17 million people, mostly youth, to participate in protests demanding condemnation of President Park and investigation of corruption allegations.
This movement had no official leadership, a method learned and applied by Hong Kong youth in the 2019 extradition bill protests. They connected through social media, organized non-violently, and the creativity in this revolution attracted attention with the scale and persistence of the youth.
4. The revolution:
The candlelight revolution became the focus of the world, contributing to the ousting of the sitting president under pressure from protests and three opposition parties. The National Assembly passed the impeachment of Park in December 2016, with 234 votes in favor out of a total of 300 votes. At the same time, President Park's powers were suspended, and later, the Constitutional Court of Korea sentenced her to 25 years in prison for corruption and abuse of power.
The revolution not only succeeded in ousting a president from power but also protected and expressed democratic values and the basic rights of citizens, which had been suppressed multiple times under the guise of ensuring security on the peninsula. The candlelight revolution sent a strong message to the new government, demanding respect for the Constitution and immediate political reform to avoid similar consequences.
The lonely tribe in contemporary society often symbolizes autonomy, independence, and even opposition to traditional social doctrines. In the context of Korea, a nuanced picture of the lonely tribe is painted through historical events that are both tragic and moving. Not only a symbol of lonely beauty, but this tribe has also become a powerful force, overturning the walls of power and the downfall of leaders.
The candlelight revolution in Korea is the clearest manifestation of the lonely tribe. From November 2016 to March 2017, the candlelights lit up the streets, highlighting the image of young people, candle holders standing alone, rising up to protest the government and reclaim their citizenship rights. This image is not only a symbol of discontent but also a symbol of sacrifice and courage in the fight against corruption and abuse of power.
That very image reflects the solidarity and spirit of autonomy of the lonely tribe. The candle holders, not traditional leaders, but free individuals, unbound by social prejudices. They are not just protesters but also social activists, creating their own revolution.
The candlelights, like guiding lights for the lonely tribe, are not only symbols of creativity and loyalty but also connections between different people, creating a strong community network. These lights are images of sacrifice, faith in democratic doctrines, and the aspirations of a generation wanting change. They are not just lights on the streets but also a wordless expression of determination and courage.
Ultimately, the candlelights overthrew the president, as a victory of the lonely tribe against overwhelming power. Success is not only about changing leadership but also about protecting and affirming the fundamental values of society. This revolution is not just a historical event but also a lesson about the power of the lonely tribe and the small, yet brilliant, lights that can change the world.