Celebrities stay neutral; innovative voting proof trends emerge

Members of K-pop boy band TrendZ pose in front of a polling station to verify that they have voted, Friday. Captured from social media

By Pyo Kyung-min

As Korea’s 2024 general election unfolded Wednesday, it showcased a unique landscape where celebrities have taken cautious steps in navigating the political world, while a wave of innovative voting verification methods has surged among the younger generation.

In the midst of election buzz, many Korean celebrities chose to stay neutral, avoiding public endorsement of any political party. Their post-voting photos tend to steer clear of any party-affiliated colors or suggestive poses that imply numbers, opting instead for neutral gestures like clenching their fists, to show their participation in the democratic process.

As early voting commenced last Friday and Saturday, entertainers began sharing snapshots from polling stations. Comedian couple Lee Eun-hyeong and Kang Jae-joon, for example, posted photos of themselves adorned in black attire and sunglasses, aiming for impartiality.

Similarly, boy band Trendz also opted for neutral-colored outfits during their early voting and actor Kim Kang-woo chose to present a black-and-white photo of voting on his social media.

Singers Kim Yoon-ah, left, and Yoon Jong-shin, each pose in front of polling stations to verify that they have voted, Wednesday. Captured from social media

The trend persisted on election day, with former footballer Lee Dong-gook simply displaying his stamped hand on Instagram. Announcer-turned-entertainer Jang Sung-kyu shared a photo outside a polling station, expressing hope for a brighter future regardless of the outcome.

Singers Yoon Jong-shin and Kim Yoon-ah also shared photos of themselves in neutral outfits at polling stations to verify they had voted, while refraining from disclosing their ballot choices.

Nevertheless, some have still faced scrutiny for allegedly displaying their political inclinations. A domestic media outlet reported actor Kim Gyu-ri’s blue attire during early voting, sparking interpretations of her preference for the opposition party.

Kim responded on social media, challenging the narrative and questioning, “What do I have to wear to avoid blame?” She expressed her discomfort with the coverage and hinted at possible legal steps against the report and its backlash.

Proof shot with favorite characters

Beyond celebrities showcasing their electoral participation, MZ Generation voters, or Millennials and Gen Z in Korea, have been exploding with ideas to share their participation.

Traditionally, voters validated their participation by stamping the back of their hands with a voting stamp. The new trend involves printing out specially designed voting verification papers featuring various characters in advance and then stamping the piece of paper inside the polling booth to prove they have voted.

Younger voters have embraced a diverse range of unique of designs for these voting proof papers, ranging from classic comic characters to contemporary webtoon figures. Notable examples include basketball players from the Japanese series “Slam Dunk,” whose basketballs transform into circular stamp marks, and adorable hamster characters with their noses replaced by stamp marks.

Other popular designs among young voters included images of Fu Bao, the beloved panda who was recently transferred to China, and various K-pop groups.

A voting verification paper design featuring the popular “Broken Bear” character by illustrator Yurang / Captured from Instagram

This trend of using an additional paper for voting verification emerged during the 21st general elections in 2020 amid concerns over COVID-19 transmission as the election authorities had restricted the traditional hand-stamping method to curb the spread of the virus.

Consequently, a new voting verification method, replacing the back of their hands with a separate sheet of paper, surfaced among the young generation. This practice has since become a trend, observed during the presidential election in 2022 and the current general elections.

While this new trend motivates young voters to participate, there’s a legal consideration to remember.

According to current regulations, individuals can stamp their voting verification paper and share it online as long as the photos are taken outside the polling stations.

However, the National Election Commission cautions against taking photographs within polling stations, a violation that could lead to up to two years imprisonment or fines of up to 4 million won under the Public Official Election Act.