ABSTRACT
When deprived of the capability to imagine a better future, anger might remain as mere resignation. Hope, on the other hand, inherently involves imagination and has motivating power to challenge the current situation. In analyzing the 2016–17 Korean candlelight movement, this chapter focuses on what made Koreans still hopeful despite political corruption and prolonged social injustice. Drawn from appraisal theories of emotions, collective coping potential is suggested as a key mechanism that turns anger into hope, which in turn, mobilizes collective action. Collective memory and active communication are examined as two primary sources for Koreans’ collective coping potential. By discussing the dynamic relationships among anger, coping potential, and hope in the context of collective events, this chapter aims to gain insights into not only unique aspects of the 2016–17 Korean candlelight movement but also a theoretical framework that can be applied to analyze other social movements.
