Memes, Jokes and Cats: South Koreans Use Parody for Political Protest

Memes, Jokes and Cats: South Koreans Use Parody for Political Protest As South Koreans took to the streets this month demanding the ousting of their president, some found an unexpected outlet to express their fury: jokes and satire. “Dumpling Federation Fried Dumpling Union” “Dumpling Federation Fried Dumpling Union” Video by Yu Young Jin/The New York Times “Pizza Toppings Research Group” “National Potato Association” “Pizza Toppings Research Group” “National Potato Association” “Pizza Toppings Research Group” “National Potato Association” Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times “I just wanted to show that we were here as part of the people even if we aren’t actually a part of a civic group,” said Kim Sae-rim, 28, who waved the flag of the dumpling group at a recent protest she went to with friends. “National Motion Sickness Association” “I came up here after taking two motion sickness pills and chewing gum.” “National Motion Sickness Association” “I came up here after taking two motion sickness pills and chewing gum.” Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times “Society for the Study of the Creation of Life” “Movement Headquarters for Creating a Shiny World” “Indian Movies Promotion Board” “Seoul Branch” “Imaginary Flower Planting Movement Headquarters” “Society for the Study of the Creation of Life” “Movement Headquarters for Creating a Shiny World” “Indian Movies Promotion Board” “Seoul Branch” “Imaginary Flower Planting Movement Headquarters” “Society for the Study of the Creation of Life” “Movement Headquarters for Creating a Shiny World” “Indian Movies Promotion Board” “Seoul Branch” “Imaginary Flower Planting Movement Headquarters” Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times “A group of people who claim that Dirac delta is a function” “A group of people who claim that Dirac delta is a function” Video by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times “National Princess Association” “Freezer Excavation Team” “National Princess Association” “Freezer Excavation Team” “National Princess Association” “Freezer Excavation Team” Photo by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Lee Kihoon, a professor of modern Korean history at Yonsei University in Seoul, said that he believed the flags at this month’s protests were an expression of the diversity of people galvanized by the president’s attempt to impose military rule. “Union of People Behind Schedule” “Union of People Behind Schedule” Photo by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times “Someone who was lying down with her babies before running out here.” “Someone who was lying down with her babies before running out here.” “Someone who was lying down with her babies before running out here.” Photo by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times And of course, there were animals, both real and fake. “Angry Cat Owners League” “National Sea Otter Is Not an Otter Association” “National Association of Bald Chicks” “Angry Cat Owners League” “National Sea Otter Is Not an Otter Association” “National Association of Bald Chicks” “Angry Cat Owners League” “National Sea Otter Is Not an Otter Association” “National Association of Bald Chicks” Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times South Koreans have shown that protests for serious causes — like the ousting of a president — can still have an inviting, optimistic and carnival-like atmosphere.