18 hours Ago By NST Entertainment
KUALA LUMPUR: The Korean term "ajeossi," traditionally associated with outdated middle-aged men, is undergoing a surprising transformation.A new wave of "cool" ajeossis, embracing unfiltered authenticity and mature personalities, is captivating younger audiences, according to the Korea Herald.Yoo Jae-hoon, 30, recalls the moment he was first called "ajeossi.
""A young girl spilled juice on me, and her mother told her to apologise to 'ajeossi.' I was still in my 20s – it was shocking!" he said.Traditionally, the term suggests someone far from a desirable bachelor.
However, figures like Choo Sung-hoon, a 49-year-old Korean-Japanese fighter and YouTuber, are challenging this stereotype.His channel, intentionally misspelling "ajeossi" in its title, has amassed over a million subscribers with its unpolished, relatable content.He casually eats convenience store snacks and proudly displays his "dad bod.
"Choo's videos consistently trend, highlighting his genuine charm. One video, where he visited a small Japanese restaurant, led to a surge of Korean tourists and a special menu item named after him.Another, showing his messy rented room, garnered over 9.
3 million views, with viewers praising his unpretentious approach."He just filmed at home, without cleaning up. It felt so real," one commenter wrote.
Fans find Choo's laid-back demeanor refreshing."He's just a regular ajeossi, a bit chaotic, but relatable," said Min Hye-won, 34. Lee Eun-sun, 28, added, "He feels like the friendly ajeossi next door.
"Choo isn't alone. Chimchakman, another YouTuber in his 40s, drew massive crowds to his pop-up event at Shinsegae Department Store.The event, featuring exclusive merchandise and a recreation of his streaming room, sold out 20,000 pre-booked tickets instantly.
Fans waited up to 12 hours for on-site reservations.Shinsegae's Do Young-gwang attributed the success to Chimchakman's devoted fanbase, comparing their enthusiasm to Pokémon fans."We sold out 40,000 photo cards, something usually reserved for pop stars," he said.
Chimchakman's appeal, like Choo's, lies in his unfiltered honesty."He just says what he thinks," said Shim Seo-yeon, 35. Park Ju-young, 29, praised his insightful social commentary, while Song Ji-hoon, 27, highlighted his integrity in rejecting sponsorships.
Pop culture critic Kim Hern-sik believes the "ajeossi" image is evolving."Young people don't see it as uncool anymore," he said. He attributes this to the approachable nature of these YouTubers.
"Choo Sung-hoon, despite his fighter image, shows a human side," Kim noted.He also suggested these figures fill a mentorship void in Korean society."People seek comfortable life stories," he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
