Baek Jong-won: "Elementary Students Aspiring to Be YouTubers? This Is Really Wrong"

Criticism of Approaching It as a Money-Making Method
"Should Enjoy It Like a Game as a Hobby"

Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea
Photo by Google Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] "Many elementary school students say they want to become YouTubers as their future dream, but I think this is very wrong."

Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, criticized the recklessness of jumping into YouTube expecting profits. At the 'Conversation with YouTube Creators' event held on the 31st at Google Startup Campus in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Baek said, "I hope many people use YouTube to share their unique traits or strengths," but added, "Trying to become a YouTuber with profit in mind is very foolish."

According to the 'Status Survey on Career Education in Elementary and Secondary Schools' announced on the 10th of last month by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training, creators such as YouTubers ranked third among elementary school students' desired occupations. YouTubers first entered the top 10 by ranking fifth in the 2018 survey, and their ranking rose two places within a year. As cases of peers succeeding as YouTubers emerged, interest increased, but Baek criticized the reality where YouTube is only recognized as a means of making money.

Baek, who runs the YouTube channel 'Baek Jong-won's Cooking Secrets,' which provides useful information for those dreaming of food recipes and starting a restaurant business, explained, "I started the food service business because I liked making food, meeting many people, and seeing their reactions to the food," and added, "I started YouTube from that perspective."

Using his favorite game as an example, he said, "Gamers who succeed are happy because they make money while doing what they enjoy. But if you have to play games just to make money, how hellish would that be?" He urged, "I hope people enjoy YouTube like a game."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.