Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
YouTubers share COVID-19 experiences
This screenshot shows the famous YouTuber Seungwoo Daddy sharing his experiences from being infected with COVID-19. Screenshot from YouTube
By Bahk Eun-ji
By Bahk Eun-ji
More social media users are posting their experiences fighting the Omicron variant of COVID-19 amid a surge in daily infections.
The trend is in sharp contrast to the past when people tended to hide the fact that they were infected with the virus. The disclosures are being shared mainly by young people.
In the online videos, people describe the severity of their symptoms ranging from mild and asymptomatic to more severe, while others still shared their difficulties with Omicron.
Seungwoo Daddy, a famous YouTuber with over 1.57 million subscribers, posted a video recently titled “I didn't know I would get it either.”
In the video, he said he felt unwell on Jan. 31, and tested positive with a self-testing kit on the day. He underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at a hospital.
“Those who say that being infected with COVID-19 is just like a cold have never been infected, I bet,” he said.
The YouTuber said he experienced symptoms such as coughing, fever, body aches, headaches, and loss of taste, and that he couldn't do anything but take medicine and sleep.
He also introduced a health care kit provided by a local health center that includes a thermometer, oximeter, acetaminophen pills, disinfectants and hand sanitizer for patients participating in at-home treatment.
MariAndFriends, another YouTuber with 2.2 million subscribers, also posted a video titled, “I'm infected with COVID-19. Why are such things happening so suddenly?” and shared his daily life regarding his self-treatment at home.
In the video, he said he began to get sick and could feel extensive muscle pain on Jan. 20, and that he tested positive after checking with a self-testing kit a couple of days later.
“It was only one day I felt pain, and it got better. I can't even guess where and by which route I was infected,” he said.
This captured image shows YouTuber MariAndFriends talking about his experience after being infected with COVID-19. Screen captured from YouTube
The YouTuber also shared what process he underwent after being confirmed positive for Covid-19.
“I got a notice from a local health center that I was infected and then health officials as well as medical workers of a hospital in my neighborhood began to contact me to check how I was.”
He then said that patients can decide on home treatment or hospitalization depending on their symptoms.
“When I chose home treatment, I had to receive healthcare kits and check my condition everyday through a mobile app.”
He also emphasized the importance preventing further spread saying “If you experience any symptoms, get tested immediately for the sake of others around you.”
In a video posted on Jan. 30, YouTuber TAEKSFREE said, “I got infected even though I was fully vaccinated.”
He added, “I didn't go to a bar or meet friends. I think anyone can get the coronavirus.”
He showed the healthcare kit sent by the quarantine authorities and demonstrated the use of an oximeter.
Experts said that such a trend among young people (of sharing online videos) reflected an important cultural aspect of Generation MZ amid the recent surge in COVID-19 infections.
Those who value sharing and providing information about unique experiences believe that sharing can bring positive changes to society.
“Many people have been infected with COVID-19, and especially those in their 20s and 30s have a strong desire to show their confidence that they have overcome it,” said Lim Myung-ho, a professor of psychology at Dankook University.
“Such changing social atmosphere is good because it can give a positive message that anyone can get COVID-19 and overcome it.”