During the period I was studying abroad, South Korea was going through political upheaval following the former president attempting to enact martial law and as such swiftly being arrested and impeached. While out in Seoul with my friends one day, we stumbled upon a conservative protest in Gwanghwamun Square while wandering around. The square is a prominent site in Seoul where large-scale rallies and political gatherings frequently take place. The sight of protesters waving both Korean and American flags stood out, with a massive Squid Game ad in the background, an ironic backdrop given the show’s critique of power inequality and capitalism. What struck me was the clash in symbols: America, often seen as the land of capitalism, being celebrated and defended in front of a cultural phenomenon that highlights its costs in a country that has been both an ally and victim of the United States, all unfolding in the middle of Korea’s political turmoil.
