YouTube
YouTube is a website that allows its users from all over the world to upload and share videos. According to the recent statistics, it has attracted a huge number of users, running to one billion people. It began its Korean version service in 2008.
In this website, every person can easily watch any video on any subject online. You can watch a music video or learn an exercise routine, cooking, a language, etc. By watching videos from different countries, you can virtually experience different cultures. It is not just confined to amusing contents, though; trending headline news or nformation video clips are also uploaded and can be viewed in real time.
YouTuber
The term “YouTuber” refers to a person who makes and shares a video in YouTube. It is a newly coined word. With the growth of the YouTube users, the number of YouTubers is also gradually increasing. Especially in South Korea, videos about gaming, makeup, or comparisons of cultural life are frequently posted. Apart from widely known annels, however, there are also some unfamiliar ones. Take a look at some examples in the next paragraph.
The first example pertains to the YouTubers who make ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos. ASMR can be a bit difficult to understand, but you may be able to understand it. It is the delicate response to repeated sounds like a whisper or to various stimuli, like tickling or a comfortable or feel-good stimulus. There are so many YouTubers from all over the world who are creating ASMR videos, and since recently, many South Korean YouTubers have also emerged: Dana, Miniyu, Soy, etc. ASMR is naturally different from one person to another. If you find a video that fits you, however, you probably can have a deep and comfortable sleep.
Second, it is possible that you do not have a specific hobby, but there are some YouTubers who are absorbed in their respective hobbies. One of them is “Mimine Miniature.” She not only makes mini kitchen appliances but also cooks using them. She is just one of the so many YouTubers out there, especially those who are dealing with miniature things. You can have fun with one of the YouTubers like her, and you can have a chance to learn and adopt a new hobby.
Next, ST had two of interviews. One features of YouTuber “Mimine Miniature” and the other of soongsilian, Baek Min-ji(The Global School of Media, 13). Following interwiew is short, but you can learn a lot from it, or you can sympathize with the words of interviewee.
Interview Ⅰ with Mimine Miniature
ST: Please introduce yourself in one sentence.
MIMINE: I am a YouTube creator who’s making the things that I imagine in miniature forms.
ST: When is the most pleasant time for you in the course of your YouTuber activities?
MIMINE: After I finish my work, I feel great when I think that my work is good, but the more pleasant time is when many people “like” my newly uploaded video. When the viewers feel as pleased with my work as I do, I am on top of the world.
ST: How do you deal with malicious comments?
MIMINE: In the past, I did not know how terrifying a malicious comment could be, but I got to know it when I directly received some such comments in YouTube. If someone points out my flaw out of concern, I accept that almost all the time, even if slightly violent words were used, but I immediately delete indiscriminate personal attacks
or slanderous comments. Of course, such comments hurt me so much, but I focus my energies on the people who like my work and cheer me on.
ST: Is there any advice that you can give to a raw YouTuber?
MIMINE: Although it has been less than a year since I became a YouTuber, I want to give a short advice. When making and editing videos, please try to put yourself in the shoes of the viewers. In other words, when you’re making a video, think of what the users want and don’t just show the viewers what you did. You can make a great video if you make sure that it is funny and seamless from a third-person point of view.
Interview Ⅱ with the user of YouTube
ST: Is there any YouTuber you like?
Baek : I subscribe to SOF’s videos. He is a creator who shows cooking and eating food, too. I like his videos because I can easily learn how to cook without going to cooking school or looking at the cooking manual.
ST: What is the reason you use YouTube frequently?
Baek : The video play time is short and at the same time, the contents are fun. And even if the play time is long, I can skip other parts and watch I want to. That is the reason why I think it is nice.
ST: Was there any change in Youtube compare to before?
Baek : Few years ago, there were merely pop idol’s video clips and some interesting parts of TV shows. But these days, videos of genuine creator have increased. So I think it has become more enjoyable in the consumers’ point of view, satisfying their needs in various fields.
ST: What do you think is the benefit from the YouTuber’s viewpoint?
Baek : I think it attractive in that they have a chance to become popular by doing YouTuber activities. Once someone starts to gain popularity, it becomes much easier for he or she to maintain that popularity. Because anyone who visits YouTube, even if they don’t visit the site every day, can watch videos easily at the ‘trending list’.
