*NOTE. This episode was recorded in January, 2025

The first episode of Season 4 features three Korean university students—Yebin, Yoosun, and Junseo—who participated in protests following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. Initially, the students were shocked by the unprecedented military presence, describing the scene as "chaotic" and "unrealistic." Throughout the conversation, they explain their backgrounds in activism, ranging from labor rights to feminism and LGBTQ+ advocacy. They attribute the current crisis not only to Yoon's "incapability as a leader" but also to fundamental flaws in South Korea's constitutional system, particularly the "five-year imperial presidency."

Furthermore, they critically assess South Korea's education system, noting its failure to adequately teach civic engagement and democratic values. Despite this, they acknowledge how history lessons about past resistance movements have inspired current protests.

Looking ahead, the students express concern about growing political polarization but remain cautiously optimistic. They emphasize the importance of constitutional reform, stronger civic education, and continued solidarity among diverse groups. Most importantly, they stress that democracy requires constant vigilance, noting that "suspending Yoon from his duty does not automatically restore democracy."

To young people around the world facing the rise of far-right movements, Korean youth emphasize the importance of solidarity and coalition-building. As Junseo points out, "We need to have coalition and solidarity under the ideas that we think are important, like equality, peace or antiwar." Moreover, they stress that democracy requires constant vigilance, as Yoosun notes, "Citizens must maintain their views and keep watching." In essence, the democratic crisis is not someone else's problem—it requires collective action across generations and borders to protect and strengthen democratic values worldwide.

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