Korean Actress Ko So-young Faces Challenges with YouTube Channel Amidst Rapid Industry Changes

Despite a seven-year hiatus, Ko So-young is still recognized as a top-tier actress. However, there seems to be a gap between perception and reality. After breaking her long silence and launching her own channel 33 years into her career, her popularity isn't what it once was. Observers note this as an example of the rapid generational shift in the entertainment industry.

In March, Ko So-young announced her venture into YouTube, marking her debut after 33 years in the industry. The anticipation of a "top actress shedding her mysterious image" helped her channel gain 40,000 subscribers in the first month. However, the growth has significantly slowed, with her current subscriber count at approximately 50,000, only a 10,000 increase over two additional months.

The view counts on her videos also vary widely. While one video reached 880,000 views, others have only garnered 70,000. This contrasts sharply with actress Lee Min-jung, who launched her channel three days later and has amassed 290,000 subscribers and a top view count of 2.54 million.

Why has Ko So-young's channel not attracted the expected audience? Her seven-year absence is seen as a significant factor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many top stars launched YouTube channels, but Ko So-young maintained her mysterious persona. Her prolonged absence from the public eye has made it challenging to regain attention.

Critics also point to the lack of engaging content as a reason for the channel's diminished appeal. Many of Ko So-young's videos feature her speaking for nearly 20 minutes in a single location, such as her home, a restaurant, or a market, without any scene changes. This has led to feedback that viewers are prompted to "click away."

The absence of her husband, Jang Dong-gun, in her videos also disappoints viewers. Even in the most-viewed video, "Jang Dong-gun's Birthday Meal," he appears for only a fleeting second. In other videos, he is entirely absent. Some netizens have suggested that including his reactions would have enhanced the content.

Ko So-young's content is criticized for not aligning with the preferences of YouTube's primary audience, aged 10 to 40. This demographic is less interested in the lifestyles of past top stars and more in how these stars connect with the public. Viewers feel a sense of connection when they see top stars wearing affordable dresses that resonate with everyday life.

One netizen commented, "Approaching with the intent to meet the public's expectations and satisfy their curiosity would be beneficial."

Reported by Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr