South Korea’s protest culture has transformed from structured, ideological movements into decentralized, humor-driven demonstrations shaped by digital platforms. This shift, propelled by younger generations, enables greater inclusivity and rapid mobilization but raises concerns about long-term impact and leadership.

The contrast between past and present protests was especially evident in the backlash against President Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration, where satire and digital coordination played a crucial role in mobilization.