"I Want to Age Like This" The 'Senior Generation' Captivating the MZ Generation [Heo Midam's Youth Report]

"Yoon Immersed" Young Generation Enthralled by Youn Yuh-jung's Award
Youtubers Park Makrye and Milanonna Also in Spotlight
Experts Say "Youth Interested in Seniors with Young Mindsets"

Editor's NoteHow is your youth remembered? From teenagers to college students and office workers, we bring you the joys and sorrows, worries and laughter unique to 'youth.'

Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung is attending the 93rd Academy Awards held at Union Station in Los Angeles (LA), USA, on the 25th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "The five nominees each played different roles in their respective films. I think I am luckier to be here."

These were the words of actress Youn Yuh-jung (74) after winning the American Academy Award for the film 'Minari.' The young generation's reaction to her becoming the first Korean actor to win an Academy Award has been enthusiastic. Young people are sharing the new term 'Yunmyeodeureotda' (Youn Yuh-jung + smeodeureotda, meaning 'Youn has permeated') along with 'Youn Yuh-jung quotes' on social media platforms, showing their excitement.

Some young people are paying tribute to the senior generation, including Youn Yuh-jung, who broke age barriers and challenged themselves as YouTubers. Experts analyze that the senior generation's spirit of challenge and their ability to communicate without authority have captured the attention of the younger generation.

Recently, the 'Youn Yuh-jung syndrome' continues. Following her sweeping of major international film festivals and award ceremonies with the film 'Minari,' and winning the Best Supporting Actress award at the 93rd Academy Awards, even her past quotes are gaining attention.

Actor Youn Yuh-jung. Photo by tvN, screenshot from the broadcast of 'Sisters Over Flowers'.

Youn Yuh-jung has gained sympathy from young people with her candid remarks that come with experience. When she appeared on tvN's 'Sisters Over Flowers' in 2013, she said, "Even at 60, life is unknown. I'm living it for the first time too. I'm 67 for the first time," adding, "Because it's the first time living it, there will inevitably be regrets and pain. It's just living," which resonated with many.

Also, on tvN's 'Taxi' in 2017, she said, "The world itself is sorrow, and life is unfair and unjust. But that sorrow is something I have to overcome. I have overcome it," inspiring courage in young people.

Youn Yuh-jung's unique way of speaking is praised as 'anti-authoritarian,' attracting the interest of the younger generation. Office worker Oh (29) said, "I was moved by Youn Yuh-jung's Academy Award acceptance speech. It was a big ceremony, and the language was different, so she must have been very nervous, but seeing her deliver her message confidently and calmly made me think, 'I want to be an adult like that too.'"

Another office worker Kim (31) also said, "The image we expect from adults is someone like Youn Yuh-jung. Unlike adults who treat young people harshly just because of their age, Youn Yuh-jung empathizes with us through her words. There is an emotional impact that comes from that empathy."

YouTuber Grandma Park Makrye. Photo by YouTube channel 'Park Makrye Grandma Korea Grandma' screen capture.

Among them, the senior generation with 'young minds,' including Youn Yuh-jung, is also gaining attention. Popular YouTuber Grandma Park Makrye (74), who has 1.31 million subscribers, and fashion YouTuber Milanonna (Jang Myung-sook, 69) are the main figures.

Their stepping into YouTube at a considerable age was largely influenced by acquaintances. Grandma Park, who had been running a restaurant for over 50 years, received a medical opinion in 2016 warning her to be cautious of dementia. Her granddaughter Kim Yura suggested filming videos to prevent dementia, and Grandma Park started YouTube at the age of 70. For five years, she has been communicating with young people through her warm dialect and cheerful storytelling.

Milanonna also mentioned a close junior as the reason for starting YouTube. She appeared on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' last year and said, "Ten years ago, I wrote a book introducing Italian culture. After ten years, I wanted to rewrite it. Also, young people like luxury brands, which is good, but I wanted to write about 'becoming a luxury brand yourself.' Based on a junior's advice, I started YouTube for fun, and I am excited every day."

Fashion YouTuber Millanonna. Photo by tvN from the broadcast screen of 'You Quiz on the Block'.

In particular, Milanonna plays a kind of 'mentor' role by listening to young people's worries through a segment called 'Nonna's A.Ji.Te.' She listens to various concerns about family, love, and employment and offers sincere advice, gaining popularity among young people.

For example, to a young person struggling with harassment from a boss, she said, "The best way is to listen with one ear and let it go out the other. But this is not easy," adding, "However, if you feel 'I can't endure this because I'm too scared' or 'My mental health is breaking down,' I want to tell you to leave the job. Because you are the most important." The heartfelt advice that comes with experience was enough to resonate with young people.

Experts mention 'challenge' and 'communication' as reasons why the senior generation is gaining attention. Popular culture critic Jung Deok-hyun said, "Young generations have ambivalent feelings toward elders. While there is a negative view of the older generation as 'kkondae' (authoritarian), there is also a positive view seeing some seniors as representatives of young people's voices. Recently, seniors closer to the latter have been emerging," analyzing, "Although they are older, they have young minds, which excites young people."

He continued, "Seniors loved by young people have the keywords 'challenge' and 'communication.' For example, in Youn Yuh-jung's case, her series of acting activities so far differ from the typical trajectory of actresses. She started acting as a villain and has often taken on extraordinary characters rather than ordinary roles. This spirit of challenge comes across as fresh to the younger generation."

Critic Jung also said, "The communication aspect is also noteworthy. An actor at the top of her field appearing on variety shows by lowering herself is part of communication," adding, "YouTuber Grandma Park Makrye and Milanonna can be seen in the same context. They challenged themselves by becoming YouTubers and gained much empathy by communicating with young people through YouTube."

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