The individual sporting a bald scalp, a serene grin, and elegant silver monk attire wasn't dispensing tranquil meditation guidance. Instead, he electrified the atmosphere with pulsating electronic dance beats while exclaiming, "This too shall pass! Triumph over suffering, and paradise awaits!" This proclamation ignited the fervor of thousands of enthusiasts.
Dubbed as "NewJeansNim," he's no traditional Buddhist sage but a South Korean disc jockey captivating youthful crowds by fusing electronic dance melodies with Buddha's wisdom.
Amidst the annual lotus lantern festival, orchestrated by Korea's prominent Buddhist faction to commemorate Buddha's birth, throngs congregated near a Seoul temple to revel in DJ NewJeansNim's set. They chanted "Buddha Handsome!" while leaping with clasped palms in prayer.
His moniker is a nod to "Sunim," a Korean honorific for Buddhist monks. Yet, his true identity is Youn Sung-ho, a 47-year-old comedian who graced screens since his 2001 debut, known to many as "bbakoo." Prior to his comedy stint, he trod the catwalk as a model.
Presently, he leads a dual existence.
His persona as DJ NewJeansNim, merging EDM with sutra chanting, beckons the younger demographic, earning accolades from Korea's Buddhist community for championing "contemporary Buddhism."
"I sense a shifting perception of Buddhism among the youth. Wherever I'm called, I'll perform, endeavoring to render Buddhism more accessible through my EDM sets," expressed Youn to Reuters.
On April 30, Venerable Jinwoo, the Jogye Order's leader, bestowed upon DJ NewJeansNim prayer beads and a headset, urging him to continue disseminating hope and joy among the youth.
"He's a breath of fresh air. Monks are usually associated with solemnity, but he's really trendy," remarked Lee Hyo-min, 25, one of his admirers. (Reuters)
