Ko Ji-yong personally announced that it is 200 days since he opened his TikTok account

Ko Ji-yong, a former member of Sechs Kies, has expanded his channels for meeting fans by personally promoting his TikTok account. On the 16th, he posted a screenshot of his TikTok profile on his social media with the caption, "Please visit my TikTok." The profile also included a notice that the account will mark its 200th day since creation on the 18th. This scene shows a first-generation idol member, whose individual activities had been quieter than his television appearances for a while, now calling out to fans through mobile phone notifications rather than TV schedules.

200 Days Since Opening, Ko Ji-yong Directly Calls to Fans

The reason Ko Ji-yong's recent promotion is noteworthy is that it is not just simple news of an account opening. He debuted with Sechs Kies in 1997 and received great love, but after the group's activities ceased, he stepped back from the center of the entertainment industry. Later, he stood before the public again with his family on the KBS 2TV variety show 'The Return of Superman,' but his recent points of contact are closer to personal channels than broadcasting studios. TikTok lives and short videos have become the fastest way for fans waiting for updates, and Ko Ji-yong has joined this trend by updating his profile and personally requesting visits.

The important change here is the way stars meet their fans. In the past, production teams and media outlets stood between the star and the fans, through variety show castings, photo shoots, or official interviews. Now, stars turn on the camera and check reactions immediately by reading comments. From the fans' perspective, a name that felt distant enters the real-time screen, and from the star's perspective, they can rebuild relationships at their own pace even after a long hiatus. Therefore, while Ko Ji-yong's 200 days on TikTok may seem like a small number, it is a scene that demonstrates where the stage of activity is shifting.

From Park Si-hoo to MC Mong, Why Live Streaming Has Become a New Stage

This is not unique to Ko Ji-yong. Celebrities who have had infrequent broadcasting activities, such as Park Si-hoo, MC Mong, Jang Su-won, and Lim Ju-hwan, are sharing their recent news through TikTok Live. In February, Park Si-hoo's live broadcasts and account metrics drew attention, even leading to rumors about earnings, though the specific scale of profit has not been confirmed. However, it is clear that TikTok Live does not stop at simple fan service. Viewers can send virtual gifts during a live stream, and creators utilize a structure where these can be converted into revenue. In Korea, the age for purchasing coins and using gifts is also restricted, making it a market where fandom support and platform payment mechanisms move together.

This trend does not necessarily need to be viewed solely as a glamorous comeback. While live streaming is intimate, raw reactions remain as they are, and if discussions of profit precede everything else, there is a risk that the platform's logic may appear more prominent than the professional work itself. This is also where Ko Ji-yong's next step lies. Beyond the 200th day of his account opening, the key will be what kind of content his consistent communication will leave for fans and how he will find a balance between memories of the Sechs Kies era and his current daily life. Calling out to fans again is just the beginning. Now, what remains is what he will show within that screen.