Becoming a YouTuber - Jang Hyung-gil
Cub-reporter Lee Se-mok
churrasco23@naver.com
YouTuber Jang Hyun-gil. Provided by Jang Hyuin-gil
Due to the advancement of technology, social media has become a very big part of our lives. Many people have become interested in video production and started their own channels in different ways. One graduate student of Busan University of Foreign Studies is running a YouTube channel. The Woeseng Times met him and heard about how he became a YouTuber.
Q1. Can you please introduce yourself?
A1. Hello, my name is Jang Hyung-gil and I graduated from the Department of Indian Studies at Busan University of Foreign Studies. After graduation, I started running a YouTube channel called 'Gaegokeun GaegulGaegul' and now I have more than 200 thousand subscribers.
Q2. How did you become a YouTuber?
A2. Since I graduated the Department of Indian Studies I had many opportunities abroad such as studying in India, having an internship, and participating in a Start-up. While pursuing these opportunities, I had many twists and turns and a very hard time mentally trying to adjust to overseas life. Whenever bad things happened I gained a lot of comfort by watching a YouTuber who introduced the valleys of Korea. I came back to Korea and tried to find one of the valleys he introduced, but he did not tell me where it was. I could not understand why he did not tell me where the valley was, so I thought maybe I could find the hidden valleys of Korea and introduce them to the people.
Q3. What impressive or challenging things have you experienced while running the channel?
A3. In my case, I am a one-season YouTuber, so I have not made much profit compared to my efforts over the past two years. When I first began running the channel I had to do all the filming and video editing by myself because of the profitable parts. Moreover, there were lots of reckless and disparaging comments. Looking at such things, it was psychologically difficult to bear all the malicious comments on my own. Not only were the comments hard to take, but also during the filming I had lots of quarrels with people playing in the valleys. However, I have also experienced many good things while running the channel. I found many beautiful valleys in remote areas, such as abandoned military facilities and a dam that was built in the Japanese colonization era. While traveling around these kinds of places alone I felt like I was exploring the world. People who have seen my videos and visited the valleys thanked me a lot and sent me simple gifts and when my friends’ acquaintances recognize me it makes me feel proud of what I am doing.
Filming videos in the valleys. Provided by Jang Hyuin-gil
Q4. Do you have any advice for students who are interested in YouTube?
A4. Before running a channel, the most important thing is to prepare contents that are different from others. Think of the contents that people will prefer. You have to let go of your mind and try not to have big expectations that it will succeed right from the start. As time goes on there will be people who appreciate and support the contents you make. There are many genres on YouTube and if you start one of them make the content different from the others with your strength. Lastly, with the advancement of technology you do not have to buy expensive filming equipment before you start. You can just do the filming on your phone. If you do not give up and keep going your efforts will be repaid.
Q5. Lastly do you have anything to say to the students who are chasing their dream?
A5. As a student who only graduated a year ago, I think studying hard and receiving scholarships are important, but finding your way is more important. Do whatever you are interested in and experience many other cultures by traveling a lot. It will make you widen your horizons. If you do not have much interest in studying, do many external activities that will help you achieve your dream. Do not be ashamed of failure and develop your ability by jumping into it. Challenge yourself, it is never too late to start what you want.