Cheat day

Sugar Man (8)

I received an invitation from YouTube and found myself at a hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The campaign titled “Once Again,” aimed at raising awareness about the seriousness and harm of cyberbullying and creating a better comment culture, had drawn a lot of attention with numerous famous celebrities and YouTubers in attendance.

Dozens of cameras were present, and the media was also focused on the event, which was streamed live on YouTube with 200,000 viewers.

It was probably possible because the fans of the celebrities attending were there as well.

“Welcome.”

A YouTube representative greeted us.

“This event is really big.”

“Haha. We worked hard to prepare.”

YouTube has been hosting similar events called “Just a Moment” in over 50 countries, genuinely trying to correct internet culture.

With such a major corporation stepping up, even the Korea Communications Commission is providing support, allowing people like us to contribute as well.

I am truly grateful.

“Thank you for your speech today.”

“Of course.”

“I have high expectations for the Namsadangpae team.”

“I’ve prepared seriously.”

“Ah.”

The representative swallowed their words.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, there isn’t. It’s just that if there are too many painful stories, it can be hard for those who are listening, so I’m thinking about how to adjust the atmosphere.”

“Ah.”

I understood immediately.

Nowadays, there are so many emotionally taxing situations that if sad stories continue throughout the event, it could overwhelm the attendees and viewers.

We had all prepared our own difficult experiences, and I assumed other participants had as well.

“Hm.”

“Let’s keep it short,” suggested Ju Ji-seung, and we all agreed.

Once we were seated, the event organizer began the campaign.

After someone from the Korea Communications Commission expressed encouragement and support, each person took their turn to share their experiences and opinions.

I had expected a series of heart-wrenching stories, but rather than dwelling on their pain, everyone seemed to be hoping for a culture of mutual support.

I thought this was more desirable than being stuck in sadness.

“Next, we would like to invite the YouTube crew, the Sadang Family: Ju Ji-seung, Cha Ji-chan, Banchan-yong, and Baek Woo-jin.”

As we awkwardly made our way to the front, the host introduced us.

“The Sadang Family has recently been gaining worldwide support by conducting an online secret Santa event called Happiness Up! to discourage cyberbullying and malicious comments.”

It was embarrassing.

As we stood in line in the order we were called, Ju Ji-seung began to speak.

“Hello, I’m Ju Ji-seung from Ban-Yah Sikkyeong. For the past few years, I’ve been teased for being bald because of my thinning hair.”

“……?”

All three of us turned to him in shock.

Ju Ji-seung continued nonchalantly with his personal story.

“Bald people can only shoot one bullet because they have no hair, so they should be exempt from military service. Bald people can’t walk because they have no hair. There’s no one with a good personality among bald people! These comments have insulted hundreds of thousands of people with hair loss.”

Cha Ji-chan fidgeted nervously at Ju Ji-seung’s words, while Baek Woo-jin turned around to suppress a laugh.

“It’s not because I have a good personality that I endure this! I’m waiting for the rude and ignorant people who can’t respect others to mature!”

What should I do? I don’t think I can hold it in.

It was a serious topic, and I could see many others around us struggling to keep their heads down as well.

“Thank you. That’s all.”

Next up was Cha Ji-chan, who took a long breath in front of the microphone before speaking.

“As you can see, I’m small. What good is exercising if I’m just growing sideways? I’ve even heard comments suggesting I’ll turn into a square.”

It seems these guys are using this opportunity to vent their grievances from the past.

“Despite those humiliations, I was able to build muscle thanks to the support of my viewers.”

Unlike Ju Ji-seung, it seemed Cha Ji-chan understood the purpose of today’s event.

He mentioned how he struggled with negative comments but was able to push through thanks to the positive comments from his viewers.

“Hyung, I respect you. Hyung, your deltoids are impressive. Can I touch your triceps?”

Cha Ji-chan recited comments frequently seen on the Jimkkun channel and paused for a moment before asking in a sad voice.

“Why?”

It was tragic.

“Why are there only men?”

It was starting to get ridiculous.

“Does it make sense that 99.9% of 3.5 million people are men? I’m in!”

It seemed like he was about to spout nonsense, so Ju Ji-seung and I pulled Cha Ji-chan down, causing laughter to ripple through the hall.

“There was a bit of commotion just now. I apologize for that,” the host said.

I was relieved that there were gracious people in attendance. Despite the nonsense from Ju Ji-seung and Cha Ji-chan, the audience laughed.

“Even if my brothers said something strange, I believe it’s wrong to mock a bald person or call someone with a peanut allergy a peanut,” I continued.

“Peanut?”

“I’m not bald!”

“Shh.”

I turned around, pressed my finger to my lips, and continued speaking.

“I’ve always questioned the saying, ‘Critique but don’t criticize.’ While critique is presented as a justified act, in reality, anyone who is criticized feels bad. ‘You’re overweight, so you should lose weight.’ ‘If you want a good job, study hard and get into a good university.’ These are critiques, but it’s not that people don’t know. Everyone has their own reasons, and they choose and take responsibility for their own lives, yet people make these comments so easily.”

Some nodded their heads while others looked puzzled.

“Why do we dislike meeting relatives during holidays? Because they ask things like, ‘Do you study well? How much money do you make? When are you getting married?’ It’s frustrating when they throw concerns at us without taking any responsibility, isn’t it?”

Some of those who had been puzzled started nodding in agreement.

“Everyone is doing their best in their own way, so isn’t it more beneficial to offer support and comfort instead of worry?”

“That’s right!”

Park Haim responded.

“That’s right. Rather than pointing out others’ mistakes, I believe having an open-minded attitude that seeks to understand is what this era requires.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Instead of saying, ‘Why can’t you study?’ how about saying, ‘That must be tough!’ Instead of asking when they’ll buy a house, why not suggest the winning lottery numbers for next week? Instead of saying they’re lazy because a video upload is delayed, consider that there are only 24 hours in a day! Instead of questioning why there’s a typo in the subtitles, acknowledge how difficult spelling can be! Instead of criticizing someone for not being able to eat a whole chicken, recognize that one chicken is a lot of food! This kind of blind support and praise is truly a way for all of us to find happiness!”

Before I could finish my speech, Ju Ji-seung and Cha Ji-chan covered my mouth and dragged me away.

“I apologize for my brothers’ immaturity,” Baek Woo-jin said, stepping forward.

“The reason that legitimate criticism feels bad is that either the way it’s expressed is wrong, or the person receiving it feels awkward accepting the critique. Having thoughts like Chan-yong’s is risky,” he added.

Everyone seemed to think I wasn’t being serious, chuckling in response.

“We, the Sadang Family, do not reject legitimate criticism. We condemn actions aimed at mocking others and support an internet culture of helping, understanding, and comforting one another.”

Somehow, after Ju Ji-seung, Cha Ji-chan, and I had all spouted nonsense, thankfully, Baek Woo-jin was managing to recover the situation.

“In that sense, I want to highlight that there is also an issue with the media that encourages cyberbullying, not just with the comments,” he said.

I widened my eyes in surprise.

There must have been around 30 reporters present, and he was about to attack the media right here.

“Do you have any idea how many people suffer because of the fake news you write? You who reported that General Yi Sun-sin instructed his subordinates to lie about not announcing his death are ruining this country!”

“Hey! Hey!”

The three of us rushed in to pull Baek Woo-jin away, and as he struggled, quite a few celebrities cheered and applauded, which made him even more excited.

“Did you see the article saying I might know why I’m single? How can people be so cruel to one another? Do I really look like a loner? Do you think I do?”

***

[Sadang Family Attends Cyberbullying Prevention Campaign] [Sadang Family Causes Controversy with Inappropriate Remarks During YouTube Campaign]
On the 6th, the YouTube cyberbullying prevention campaign “Once Again” was held at a hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The campaign aims to eradicate malicious comments and group bullying on the internet, creating a better online culture.

During the event, where famous celebrities and influencers gathered to share their experiences, the YouTube crew Sadang Family (Ban Ya Sik Gyeong, Jim Goon, Banchan Gage, Woo Jin-us) caused a stir with inappropriate remarks, drawing criticism.

Ju Ji-seung and Cha Ji-chan made self-deprecating jokes that were not suitable for such a serious occasion, thereby promoting cyberbullying, while Banchan Yong sarcastically commented, “Blind support and praise are the ways for all of us to find happiness,” mocking the campaign’s intentions.

In particular, Baek Woo-jin criticized the media, stating, “You who reported that General Yi Sun-sin instructed his subordinates to lie about not announcing his death are ruining this country,” attacking the press with unfounded claims.

└Wow

└How can they write it like this?

└No way  Fake news certification like this?

└As expected, the level of the media is low.

└Banchan Yong’s comment about blind support was ironic. They’re not asking for indiscriminate praise; rather, they meant to say we should care for each other instead of using hurtful words. Can’t you journalists catch the nuance?

└Baek Woo-jin is right.

└Seriously, while the comments are a problem, the media being like this is even more legendary.

└This shows that the most urgent issue in the cyberbullying problem is the media.

└Hey, journalist, you went to the cyberbullying campaign, didn’t you? You shouldn’t be doing this.

└Looks like it hit a nerve.

└He asked the wrong question. The Sadang Family’s image is great right now; who would appreciate an article like this?

└Were you ordered to write this from above?

└I love you.

└Wow, there are even people who say they love someone like this. Sadang Family is doing a great job.