Featured image and video clip by SBS News
About 2,800 students at Ewha Woman’s University occupied their campus this Thursday (29 March) chanting pop singer Younha’s hit song “Comet” (혜성), casting light with their cellphones, and waving purple balloons. The following day (30 March), one of the a professor had resigned.
A week ago, the #MeToo movement took to universities across South Korea. Accusations quickly surfaced against two professors at the College of Music and at the College of Art (one specialising in orchestral music and the other in sculpture), for having harassed not one but several students. Ewha students organised a taskforce which led to the mass protest on Thursday.
Students also carried on the tradition initiated at the Gangnam Murder – using Post-Its to voice their anger. Post-Its in the video are seen to state phrases such as “You’re not a professor, you’re a sex criminal” “Don’t cast dirt on our music. Stop making music” “Out with sex criminals” “I don’t want to learn anything from you” “Go! To jail!” “Let this crime hold you back for the rest of your remaining few years”.
Professor Kim’s (it is unclear which one of the accused this is) office door is vandalised with Post-Its (“You’re Evicted” “This is a sex criminal’s office” “Friends! This is the office!” “We will continue to shout” “We’re always watching you”)
A student is seen placing several Post-Its which spell out “Get the hell our of our school”
Both of the accused are under investigation by the university’s Sex Crimes unit. The professor of music has currently handed in a letter of resignation, while the professor of sculpture has refused to make a statement.
Younha’s song “Comet” talks about being fearless because “I know that you’re always with me even though the darkness may set on a long night” – a sentiment echoed by a student interviews in the video. She talks about how she participated in the protest not just as a student, but also as to “show solidarity and support towards the victims, and to prevent further social aggression against them”. Below is a translation I’ve made of the lyrics.
If I could ride the shining star which flies across the dark skies
And it it would take me to you, who’s fallen asleep
If I could see you regardless of how much I orbit around the skies, day and night
I would gladly throw away all my sweet sleep and fly away
Follow the light, become a comet, and fly the skies
Take me to you so I can tell you how I feel
Looking down at the sky, buring away and lighting up so you can see me
I’ll give you my heart even though it means I’m going to fade away
Even if the darkness sets on and the long night begins again
I’m not afraid of the night as long as you’re next to me
I see you night and day, again and again, but I still want to see you
I would gladly throw away all of my sweet sleep and fly away
Follow the light, become a comet, and fly the skies
Take me to you so I can tell you how I feel
Looking down at the sky, buring away and lighting up so you can see me
I’ll give you my heart even though it means I’m going to disappear
If you’re tired, just look up at the night skies
I want to fly up to the place you look up to every time
Follow the light and fly ever higher in the skies
Take me to you so I can tell you how I feel
Look at me as I’ll love you forever and always
Even though I may fade away
You’ll know how I feel in my heart
You’ll know my love when you look at the comets
Because it’ll always shine on you, no matter where you are
REAL KOREANS 