TrustAndSafety
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The Secret Life of YouTube Comments?!
2023. 6. 14.
From K-pop slang to covert espionage, YouTube comments are more powerful than they appear.
Explore how a simple comment section became a tool for culture, crime, and controversy.
We all know YouTube comments as a familiar feature — a place for reactions, support, or debate.
But in recent years, these seemingly harmless spaces have been used in unexpected and sometimes alarming ways. Let’s take a closer look at three real-life examples that reveal how YouTube comments are quietly reshaping culture, language, and even national security.
Chapter 1:
How K-pop Fans Changed the Dictionary
In an academic paper analyzing 635,982 comments on BTS YouTube videos, researchers discovered something fascinating: new forms of Korean language are emerging — largely driven by international K-pop fandoms.
Foreign fans often imitate Korean in their comments using awkward or "translated" structures. Interestingly, native Korean speakers began mimicking this style, turning it into an inside meme that strengthens fan identity and cultural connection. Even BTS’s own RM was seen using this hybrid comment style.
Other linguistic patterns also emerged:
Inconsistent honorifics due to the complexity of Korean grammar
New vocabulary, such as “Oppa” or “Unni” spelled phonetically in English
Plural forms like “Oppas” or “Unnies,” which have even been added to the Oxford English Dictionary
Image Source: Civic News (http://www.civicnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=32499)
In this way, K-pop culture has become a powerful driver of Korean language globalization and linguistic evolution through social media.
Chapter 2:
A Spy Network Hidden in Plain Sight
In a shocking turn of events, YouTube comments were recently implicated in a North Korean espionage case.
According to reports, four former members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) exchanged coded comments on designated YouTube videos to communicate with North Korean operatives — including updates on contact status and encrypted instructions.
This case, described as one of the largest National Security Law violations in South Korean history, revealed that operatives maintained ties with the North for over 20 years.
Their tasks included:
Acquiring power grid maps and military infrastructure data (e.g., LNG storage and US bases in Pyeongtaek and Osan)
Organizing anti-government protests after national incidents like the Itaewon crowd disaster or labor strikes
Leaking the personal data of all 300 members of the Korean National Assembly to the North
YouTube, typically seen as a neutral platform for entertainment and discussion, had quietly become a tool for covert operations.
Chapter 3:
Adult Sites Hidden in the Replies
In another concerning trend, YouTube comments are increasingly being used to promote adult content and illegal video-sharing sites.
Common tactics include:
Posting links in the replies to highly-liked comments
Using clickbait headlines like “Unreleased idol videos leaked” or “Certified by the Ministry of Science and ICT”
Exploiting the comment sections of trending videos or high-subscriber channels to boost visibility
Some of these comment-driven spam campaigns have generated over 110,000 views, and many link to sites that are not age-restricted, raising major safety concerns — especially for minors.
Despite YouTube’s efforts to combat abuse through:
Only 0.2% of all deleted YouTube comments are flagged for adult content — indicating a major blind spot.
Final Thoughts
YouTube comments, once seen as a lighthearted social feature, have evolved into a powerful — and sometimes dangerous — digital tool.
From spreading new forms of language and cultural bonding to hiding espionage or promoting harmful content, their influence is deeper than it seems.
While platforms continue to roll out safety features, it’s clear that more comprehensive solutions are needed — both technologically and culturally — to keep up with how users (and abusers) adapt.
