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Grandma Park enjoys stardom among youngsters

Posted March. 27, 2017 07:10,   

Updated March. 27, 2017 07:18

한국어

The word "yeombyeong” (or typhoid in Korean) became quite popular among young generations this year. The word can be heard frequently on the YouTube channel starring the most "hottest" 71-year-old broadcaster grandma star Park Mak-rye. Audiences burst into laughter whenever she says the filler "yeombyeong" while speaking in her amusing Jeolla Province dialect. The word received wide attention when a cleaning lady silenced the arrested Choi Soon-sil for the special investigation with a "refreshing" comment "yeombyeonghane” (roughly translated into “bullshit”).

Park who transformed the word into a gag code soon became an SNS star among viewers as young as her grandchildren via her YouTube channel. Her popularity is skyrocketing in recent days, as she appeared on the Facebook page to promote "SNL Korea," which kick-started its ninth season last Saturday. The "creator in her 70s" charmed the audience with her down-to-earth beauty tip videos by first airing her trip to Australia with her granddaughter, followed by clips on yoga and nail art, "Make-up tips for going to the dentists and then doing groceries." While Park's videos shares the same format as her peer beauty broadcasters, viewers are delighted by her unexpected responses and fabulous talking skills. For example, she gives daily make-up tips while grumbling that we need to live a second life to be born with a small face, and no matter how we apply this cream, it's no use.

Thanks to her on-line hit videos, she is now amazed by her off-line popularity; dentists ask for a picture with her after the appointment, and young people recognize her when she dines out. The credit goes to her young granddaughter, who plans, edits, and shoots Park's videos for her grandma. She has a special bond with her granddaughter as they lived together and Park who took some hard knocks after raising her children without her husband. When Park expressed concerns on a possible Alzheimer's, her granddaughter made a big decision; quit working and travelling overseas with Park. Luck had it that their video travel diary became viral.

In recent weeks, the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) showcased "The Apple of My Eyes," which showed grandparents and grandchildren going on a trip. Indeed, EBS knew how to touch the hearts of viewers who want to reminisce their good-old years. While many worry over conflicts between generations symbolized by the national flag and candlelight, there is still a solid emotional bond between Korean elders and youngsters who resonate with a grandma down the block. Hope did not fade away.