Increase in Domestic Channels with Over 100,000 Subscribers
High Interest in Expert Lessons and Celebrity Competitions
Reference for Golf Beginners' 'Self-Study'
Hong Sung-tae (42), a second-year golf beginner, relies on YouTube as his lesson instructor. He refines his swing methods and basic movements for each club by referring to channels run by professional pros or short-form content lasting about a minute. Hong said, "When I started golf, I took lessons at an indoor practice range for about six months," adding, "Due to cost burdens and lack of consistent practice time, I study the basic principles by watching video content." He also said, "On YouTube, you can receive recommendations for teachings from various pros without any special settings," and added, "Since I can pick and watch parts that were difficult to understand regardless of progress, it helps me get a feel for it when practicing at the range."
As the number of golf beginners increases and more people improve their skills through self-study, interest in YouTube channels covering golf continues to grow steadily. According to 'Playboard,' which compiles YouTube-related data, the number of domestic golf-related YouTube channels with over 100,000 subscribers, earning the 'Silver Button,' has exceeded 50. There are also 12 channels with more than 300,000 subscribers. Interest has rapidly increased since COVID-19, and popular channels have seen their subscriber counts rise to around 100,000 in the past one to two years.
Among the channels with many subscribers is '[Golfman] Jo Yoon-sung Pro,' operated by pro Jo Yoon-sung, which had 528,000 subscribers as of the date. Lesson-specialized channels run by experts such as pro Park Ha-rim (486,000 subscribers) and pro Lim Jin-han (456,000 subscribers) also have over 400,000 subscribers. Channels run by entertainers Kim Gura (363,000 subscribers), Kim Guk-jin (290,000 subscribers), and Hong In-kyu (289,000 subscribers), which combine entertainment and lesson concepts, each have around 300,000 subscribers. An industry insider said, "Content featuring familiar and famous people from broadcasts competing in golf or sharing know-how tends to attract interest and is well exposed in algorithms."
In fact, the proportion of young people and golf beginners seeking related knowledge through video content is also rapidly increasing. According to recent analysis of domestic TikTok video data by the mobile short-form platform 'TikTok,' as of September last year, the video views of the '#골프입문' (golf beginner) hashtag in the 'TikTok Sports' category increased by 22,446% compared to the same period the previous year. During the same period, views for the '#golftips' hashtag also rose by 112%. TikTok evaluated, "The number of users accessing sports through short-form content is increasing," adding, "They share their exercise routines or learn correct exercise postures, exchanging various information."
The travel industry is also collaborating with influencers to promote related products such as overseas golf trips in line with this trend. Modetour launched a Vietnam Haiphong golf product last October in collaboration with YouTuber 'Simjjang,' who has 350,000 subscribers. This product sold out two months before departure. Hanatour also launched a Gold Coast golf-themed product last June jointly with Hong In-kyu TV, which has about 280,000 subscribers. A travel industry official said, "Because interest is high, cases of collaborating with influencers when composing theme travel products, not only golf, are steadily increasing."
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