- Title: South Korean DJ celebrates Buddha's birthday with dance music
- Date: 12th May 2024
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 28-YEAR-OLD FESTIVAL ATTENDEE, WHO CAME TO FESTIVAL TO WATCH NEWJEANSNIM'S PERFORMANCE, KIM TAE-YUN, SAYING: "(After watching NewJeansNim's performance on social media), I thought that Buddhism is now much more open than other religions, because he probably got permission for his performance from Buddhist (leaders). I heard that they will be a festival
- Embargoed: 26th May 2024 17:35
- Keywords: Buddha DJ EDM NewJeansNim Seoul South Korea Youn Sung-ho birthday comedian festival lantern lotus monk music temple
- Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA003196712052024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A South Korean man with a shaved head and flowing grey monk's robes was not offering meditation tips to soothe stress at a festival to celebrate the Buddha's birthday on Sunday (May 12) but playing electronic dance music.
Known as "NewJeansNim," he is not a real Buddhist zen master but a South Korean DJ who is captivating young audiences by blending EDM with the teachings of Buddha. His stage name derives from "Sunim," a Korean title of respect for Buddhist monastics.
His real name is Youn Sung-ho, a 47-year-old comedian who debuted in 2001 and has since appeared on several TV shows, well known to many South Koreans by his character name "bbakoo."
However, he is now living another life. His alter ego as DJ NewJeansNim, draws younger generations with EDM chanting sutras, is welcomed by South Korea's Buddhist community for promoting "young Buddhism."
On April 30, Venerable Jinwoo, the head of Jogye Order, the largest sect of Korean Buddhism with some 10 million followers, gifted DJ NewJeansNim with prayer beads and a headset, asking him to keep spreading hope and happiness to young people.
"He is really fresh and new because normally when you think about monks they are pious and quiet. I thought he was really hip," said Lee Hyo-min, 25, one of his fans at the festival.
(Production: Daewoung Kim, Minwoo Park, Hyunyoung Yi) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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