Korean Actresses in Their 40s and 50s Are Taking Over YouTube

Korean Actresses Make Waves on YouTube

In a surprising turn of events, iconic South Korean actresses such as Go Hyun-jung, Lee Min-jung, Han Ga-in, Ko So-young, Lee Si-young, and Kim Nam-joo have embarked on a new journey by launching their own YouTube channels. This movement embraces a departure from their long-held mystical personas, allowing fans to get a rare glimpse into their daily lives.

#### Leading the Charge: Han Ga-in

Among these famous names, Han Ga-in stands out with her YouTube channel, ‘Free Wife Han Ga-in’, boasting 380,000 subscribers. Her relatable charm, first displayed on tvN’s ‘Europe Outside the Tent’, transitions flawlessly into her online presence where she shares skincare routines, cooking tips, and parenting stories.

#### Go Hyun-jung’s Emotional Connection

Closely following is Go Hyun-jung, whose channel soared to 236,000 subscribers just 10 days after its launch. Her unfiltered and emotional vlogs, such as encounters with fans that brought her to tears, have reached over 2.2 million views.

Despite a brief hiatus due to health issues, she has made a strong comeback, reconnecting with her audience.

#### Rapid Growth of Lee Min-jung

Lee Min-jung, who launched her channel ‘Lee Min-jung MJ’ on March 30, quickly amassed 260,000 followers. Her honest content, featuring her renowned husband Lee Byung-hun and their family, captivates viewers.

There’s even a promise of featuring Lee Byung-hun and director Park Chan-wook if she hits the 500,000 mark, adding to the intrigue.

#### New Entrants Face Challenges

Newer entrants like Ko So-young and Kim Nam-joo have also joined the platform but are experiencing slower growth. Ko So-young’s ‘That’s Ko So-young’, starting on April 8, reached 53,600 subscribers, while Kim Nam-joo’s channel, which began on April 21, has 21,800 followers.

Actresses like Go Joon-hee and Lee Si-young follow with 34,200 and 11,100 subscribers respectively.

#### Content Differentiation Is Key

The subscriber variance is largely attributed to each channel’s launch timing and unique content differentiation. Han Ga-in’s seamless transition from television to an online platform exemplifies the effective synergy she has achieved.

Notably, Go Hyun-jung and Han Ga-in’s success has led them to appearances on other platforms like tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block’.

Meanwhile, Lee Min-jung cleverly uses personal anecdotes and reality-based content to appeal to her audience.

Ko So-young provides a peek behind her community activities, while Kim Nam-joo plans to showcase her lifestyle linked to SBS Life’s ‘Queen of Insight’.

#### Conclusion: A New Era for Actresses

This influx of actresses into the YouTube space signals a strategic move to carve out new opportunities amid dwindling roles in traditional acting. Moving away from mystique, they offer authenticity which resonates with the public.

As the competition heats up, will the latecomers overthrow the established dominance of Han Ga-in and Go Hyun-jung? It remains to be seen how each will forge their path with innovative content.