'Short-form Challenge' Changed Life... Gyonga-nim's Unique Review [Content Commerce]

'Gyonga-nim's Review World' Creator Kim Kyung-ah
Transformation from Entrance Exam Teacher to Creator
Unique Product Reviews and Sales All in One

If you soak a round ball in water, tap it with a hammer, and carve it with a knife, a yellow gem will 'pop' out. If you break it diligently again, you can discover other gems. This is the toy called 'Space Dig' sold on the online shopping mall Amazon. You can excavate gems from eight planets including 'Sugeumjihwamoktocheonhae' (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) and make them into necklaces.

The video of excavating gems from planets uploaded on the YouTube channel 'Gyonga-nim's Review World,' operated by creator Gyonga-nim, recorded about 10 million views. This channel is full of review videos that review toys or try newly released convenience store products.

Kim Kyung-ah (31), who runs Gyonga-nim's Review World, told Asia Economy in an interview, "Mentioning viewers' names or nicknames and replying in a friendly manner or capturing viewers' comments and incorporating them into the content is receiving a good response."

Creator Kim Kyung-ah.

Gyonga-nim's entry into the creator world was by chance. After majoring in Theater and Film Studies at university and obtaining a secondary teaching certificate through teacher training, she worked as an entrance exam consultant and started by filming challenge videos with students she met. This video caused an explosive response on YouTube, leading her to start full-fledged activities as a creator. Gyonga-nim, who gathered 2.7 million subscribers on TikTok, expanded her channel to YouTube and has currently gathered 234,000 subscribers.

The secret to success is videos tailored to the 'eye level' of the core content consumers, students. The number of reviewed products such as cute or fascinating props and snacks reaches 1,000. Gyonga-nim said, "I think a lot from the students' perspective," adding, "I try to quickly reflect feedback from students I taught in the past or direct messages (DMs) from viewers into the content."

YouTube 'Gyonga-nim's Review World' content capture.

Recently, she has been achieving results by combining commerce with YouTube content's individuality and expertise. Gyonga-nim is selling unique props of 'Gulttuk Gangaji' using the 'YouTube Shopping Integration Service' provided by the e-commerce platform 'Cafe24.' The representative products sold by Gulttuk Gangaji are 'Tanghulu Cushion' and 'Air Conditioner-shaped Diffuser.'

Exposing products through YouTube content and allowing viewers to purchase naturally is the secret to increased sales. Gyonga-nim said, "When using the YouTube Shopping Integration Service, since products are linked and sold on the channel, we carefully review and select products worth recommending," adding, "Even after sales end, purchase inquiries continue to come in, showing good viewer response."

Gyonga-nim plans to grow the YouTube Shopping Integration Service and challenge live streaming. She explained, "In China, selling products through live streaming has become a common phenomenon," and "The live streaming market size will grow further in the future."

Her future goal is to grow as a creator who exerts a positive influence. She said, "I always strive to deliver wholesome content to students," and "I am preparing 'healing content' and want to grow as a creator who can not only provide vicarious satisfaction but also give strength through videos."