ABSTRACT
Visitors to the YouTube channel of BJ (“broadcast jockey”) Ipyeong will find highlighted a ten-second clip in which the channel owner makes a bid for an audience; 1 Ipyeong looks sternly at the camera, his eyebrow piercings accentuating an imposing demeanor, and commands the viewer to subscribe (ni gudokhaera). However, the young man then breaks into an ironic pose of over-the-top cuteness as he moves his hands to his face, revealing a heavily tattooed forearm with figures that include a rabbit and some skulls, and squeals “gyuuuu,” as an effect lends blush to his cheeks. Visible behind him are accoutrements of trendy South Korean youth, such as multiple baseball caps and sports shoes.
