[Content Commerce] "Was Science This Easy?"... The Secret Behind the 20 Million Views of the 'Igwa-type'

YouTube Creator Igwahyeong
Explains Difficult Science Concepts Through Short-Form Videos
Achieved Over 20 Million Views
Sells Merchandise via YouTube Shopping Exclusive Store

"If you fall from a height of 10 km, you would definitely die, right? But this is wrong."

Yoo Woo-jong (37), known as 'Igwahyeong', a YouTube creator with over 583,000 subscribers, is a so-called 'science creator.' He produces content that reveals interesting scientific facts hidden in everyday life, corrects common scientific misconceptions, and explains difficult scientific concepts such as relativity and quantum mechanics in an easy-to-understand way for everyone.

Yu Woo-jong, Science-oriented CEO.
[Photo by Cafe24]

Igwahyeong CEO Yoo Woo-jong meets viewers through various content formats including regular videos, short-form content, live streams, and podcasts. Especially popular are his science short-form videos that deliver scientific knowledge in an easy and fun way within one minute, such as "How to survive a fall from 10 km height" and "If Son Goku swings his 380,000 km long Ruyi Jingu Bang at a 60-degree angle in 1 second, would the tip of the rod move faster than light?" These videos have recorded millions of views. The highest view count for a single video has reached 20.29 million, with over 350,000 likes.

One of Igwahyeong's secrets to popularity is explaining difficult scientific topics in a friendly and accurate manner. The channel name 'Igwahyeong' carries the meaning of explaining scientific knowledge easily like a senior from the science track. CEO Yoo graduated from the Department of Physics at Korea National University of Education and has experience working as a science teacher at a public school. This background helped him deliver scientific knowledge easily and comfortably to anyone.

Yoo said, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took parental leave and started uploading science videos. I realized I could have a great influence on many people, so I decided to focus on creator activities. When I worked at school, I engaged in club activities with students, doing various science creative projects like 3D printing, and these experiences help me as a creator."

He personally produces original footage perfectly suited to his content, even if it takes time and cost, to help viewers understand better. He also proactively uses AI-based voice synthesis (TTS) technology and video production techniques, continuously changing the content format and making steady efforts.

Yoo emphasized, "Through producing various science content and experiencing trial and error, I strive to study not only education, which I had been studying, but also scenario writing, advertising and marketing, and video aesthetics to create fun and memorable science videos. I believe that using self-made footage and various technologies will be an advantage when entering the global market or expanding business into various fields."

Recently, he also ventured into the e-commerce business. He opened a 'YouTube Shopping Exclusive Store' provided through a partnership between Cafe24 and YouTube. On the Igwahyeong YouTube channel, various products and books incorporating scientific designs, such as 'phone cases using the periodic table of elements' and 'watches featuring cosmic structures,' are sold. Viewers can click on the products displayed within the channel and easily purchase them by entering their name, contact information, and delivery address on Igwahyeong's store. Thanks to these advantages, the periodic table phone case has sold over 2,000 units in just over a year since its launch.

Yoo explained, "I liked that I could naturally showcase products currently on sale without spending much time or cost on YouTube content, and I think it is a good way for creators to increase additional income beyond video production. Using the Cafe24 platform allows us to reduce product costs and offer good items to viewers at more affordable prices, and the ability to link YouTube and e-commerce is also an advantage."