"Shall I Experience the Typhoon Myself?" YouTubers Face Flood of Criticism for 'Typhoon Experience' Videos

Disasters like Typhoons... Used as Content on YouTube
Excessive Actions by YouTubers, Risk of Imitation by Adolescents
Experts: "Harm Caused by Competitive Society"

Due to the impact of Typhoon Haishen, the 10th typhoon of the season, giant waves are crashing against the breakwater in Sadong-ri, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongbuk Province on the afternoon of the 7th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "'Maysak' real-time situation.", "The rain and wind are so strong that I can't open my eyes."

Following Typhoons Bavi and Maysak, Typhoon Haishen has also struck the Korean Peninsula, and some YouTubers are causing controversy by conducting so-called 'typhoon experiences.' Despite the strong rain and wind, they go to dangerous places such as beaches without safety equipment and broadcast the typhoon situation live, engaging in reckless behavior even during a disaster.

Some express concern that such actions by YouTubers could lead to casualties. Experts analyze that the competition among YouTubers has intensified, leading them to seek more sensational content.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 7th, a man in his 60s who was crossing a bridge on a tractor in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, was swept away by a rapid river current due to Typhoon Haishen, and in Busan, a citizen was injured by a flying signboard blown by strong winds.

Meanwhile, in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, a man in his 40s went missing after falling into a drainage channel while withdrawing from limestone mining, and injuries were reported in Geoje, Gyeongnam, and Gongju, Chungnam. As a result of Typhoon Haishen, two people went missing and five were injured. Additionally, 78 disaster victims were reported, and 785 facility damages were recorded, indicating significant damage.

The problem lies in some YouTubers and BJs exploiting such disaster situations to produce sensational content. Recently, videos titled "Typhoon Maysak Real-Time Situation," "Strong Wind Experience Reality," and "Feeling the Power of the Typhoon" have been uploaded on YouTube. The YouTubers who posted these videos went outside without any safety equipment to show viewers the typhoon situation.

One YouTuber, on the 2nd when Typhoon Maysak struck the Korean Peninsula, said, "I will experience Maysak," and went outside wearing only a raincoat. During this, the YouTuber's whole body staggered from the strong rain and wind, but he ignored it and continued to broadcast the typhoon situation, saying, "The rain and wind are very strong."

Another broadcaster near the beach said, "I will open an umbrella and try to withstand how strong the wind is," staggering his whole body, and some other YouTubers also engaged in dangerous acts such as live broadcasting high waves near the seaside where there is a risk of a tsunami.

Netizens continue to criticize the reckless behavior of YouTubers. They point out that it is incomprehensible to force dangerous actions just to produce content during a disaster situation that requires mature civic awareness.

Office worker Kim (27) said, "Traffic lights and street lamps have fallen due to the typhoon, and there have been casualties, so I don't understand why they play such pranks," adding, "Signboards are falling because of the typhoon. What if someone gets hit by a flying signboard?"

He continued, "A typhoon is a disaster. Can't they just stay home quietly?" and added, "I hope no one else suffers because of YouTubers' excessive behavior."

Recently, content related to 'typhoon experiences' has been steadily appearing on YouTube. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

YouTubers produce sensational content because it is related to advertising revenue. On YouTube, ads appear before, during, or after videos in various ways. Although advertising revenue varies depending on video length and number of viewers, most Korean YouTubers, except for some top creators, earn less than 1 dollar (about 1,180 won) per 1,000 views.

In summary, YouTubers produce sensational content to increase views and earn revenue.

Some express concern that sensational content on YouTube could have a negative impact on children and adolescents. There is a risk that curious teenagers who continuously watch such videos might imitate YouTubers' behavior.

It is not uncommon for adolescents to watch harmful content on YouTube. According to the "2017 Cyberbullying Survey" conducted by the Korea Communications Commission, among 4,500 elementary, middle, and high school students surveyed, 26.3% reported having watched harmful videos on YouTube.

However, when asked about any restrictions experienced while watching harmful videos, 44% of students answered that they had "no particular restrictions." This means that 4 out of 10 students watched harmful videos without any sanctions.

Lee (17), a second-year high school student, said, "There is no one in my class who doesn't watch YouTube. I also watch it whenever I have time," adding, "YouTubers are no different from celebrities. Their speech and behavior are trending in school."

He continued, "Even though I know some content is sensational, I watch it because it's fun," adding, "YouTube allows things that can't be done on public or TV broadcasts without much restriction, so it's entertaining."

Experts analyze that competition in the YouTube market has intensified, leading YouTubers to seek more sensational content.

Professor Kwak Geumju of Seoul National University's Department of Psychology said, "YouTubers feel satisfaction and pleasure as their views increase, which can lead to the illusion that they have become great people," adding, "As the number of YouTubers increases, more people try to find unique content different from others. In trying to increase views, YouTubers push themselves to create content that others haven't done."

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