The NCT lightstick is making headlines for an unexpected reason — it's become the hottest protest item, taking over secondhand markets!

"This is the NCT lightstick that went viral as a protest item this time", one user said. "I used it during last year's NCT Dream fan concert, and it’s brighter than the version 2 released this year. Get it now!"

K-pop idol lightsticks are causing a surprising shortage on platforms like Danggeun Market and other online secondhand trading sites.

This phenomenon started when lightsticks replaced traditional candles at major protests calling for the president's impeachment.

On December 7th, during a rally in Yeouido, Seoul, many women in their 20s and 30s were seen waving colorful K-pop lightsticks instead of LED candles. With a second round of protests scheduled this weekend after the impeachment vote, demand for lightsticks has exploded across the country.

These lightsticks, which are made in limited editions to match each fanbase, are already sold out. As new stock is unavailable, people are turning to counterfeit or secondhand options.

On December 9th, there was a surge in idol lightstick transactions on Danggeun Market all over Seoul. Among the many idol group lightsticks, NCT’s is the hottest commodity, thanks to its strong lighting and easy customization.

The cube-shaped design makes it simple to add protest phrases like "Impeach" or "Resign", allowing people to express their individuality. The second most popular lightstick is from Epik High, often called “Park Kyubong”, due to its middle finger-shaped design — a fitting symbol for protests.

The secondhand price for an NCT lightstick is around 40,000 KRW, while lightsticks from BLACKPINK, EXO, Sung Si Kyung, BIGBANG, and SHINee are being traded for 20,000 to 40,000 KRW, depending on their condition and accessories. Some people are even offering lightsticks for rent with a deposit of 50,000 KRW, for protest use.

An insider from the music industry commented, "Even the merchandise managers probably never imagined these lightsticks would be used in protests."

He added, “This shows the mindset of the MZ generation, who have a strong dislike for authority." It’s especially ironic, he noted, that the NCT lightstick, once called the “tonkatsu hammer” or “Thor’s hammer” by fans, is now being used as a tool for political resistance.

During the protest, songs like BIGBANG's "Crooked" and Rosé’s "APT." helped pump up the energy. When tracks from SHINee, Girls' Generation, BTS, SEVENTEEN, and aespa were played, it felt just like a concert in the streets.

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Hyun Bin is finally addressing the long-standing "ddongcha" (poop car) theory surrounding his character from My Name is Kim Sam-soon—and he's not holding back!

In an interview on the 19th with Star News, the beloved actor confessed, "I was wrong," responding to the reevaluation of his iconic role as Hyun Jin-heon from the 2005 hit drama. The "ddongcha" theory has been a subject of online debate for years, with many viewers critiquing Hyun Jin-heon’s character as overly arrogant and entitled.

Hyun Bin, who first rose to fame in My Name is Kim Sam-soon, took the time to reflect on the character that made him a household name. He shared, “I was just following the script; there were no personal opinions added to the character of Hyun Jin-heon. At that time, I knew Hyun Jin-heon was portrayed as a ‘bad boy,’ and the way it was expressed was different from today’s standards.”

With My Name is Kim Sam-soon now being re-released as part of Wavve's "New Classic" project, fans are revisiting the 2005 drama, and the character of Hyun Jin-heon is under fresh scrutiny. Director Kim Yun-cheol even admitted that the "prince on a white horse" and "bad boy" tropes that once worked in 2005 don’t quite match today's sensibilities, leading to edits in the 2024 version.

Hyun Bin humbly acknowledged his gratitude for his successful career and hit works, saying, "It’s wonderful and I am grateful to have so many hit works. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing writers, directors, and actors. Thanks to them, I’ve received a lot of attention and love." He also shared a sense of humility, noting, “But I never know when that luck will come again."

Despite the dramatic shift in perspective on his character, Hyun Bin’s charm and dedication remain strong. Fans are eager to see him in his upcoming film Harbin (directed by Woo Min-ho), set to be released on the 24th.

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