뉴진스님

Meme Name: NewJeansnim

Pronunciation: New-jin-s-nim (pronounced roughly as 'New Jeans-neem'). The 'New Jeans' part is pronounced similarly to the popular K-pop group 'NewJeans', and 'nim' is a Korean honorific often used for revered figures like monks.

The NewJeansnim meme began to gain public attention in May 2023 during the Lotus Lantern Festival for Buddha's Birthday, when comedian Yoon Sung-ho performed a DJ set. It then truly took off from the latter half of 2023, after he adopted the Buddhist name 'NewJin (New進)', meaning 'to move forward anew'.

NewJeansnim is an alter ego of comedian Yoon Sung-ho, who, dressed in a monk's robe, performs EDM DJing. This unconventional persona serves to introduce Buddhism to the public in a friendly manner. The Buddhist name 'NewJin (New進)' combines the English word 'New' with the Chinese character '進 (jin)', meaning 'to advance' or 'to move forward', thus signifying 'to move forward anew'. It also brings to mind the popular K-pop girl group NewJeans. This is interpreted as an attempt to break away from the solemn and traditional image of Buddhism and to convey its message more closely to the younger generation. A distinctive feature is his delivery of Buddhist messages like "This too shall pass" and "May you attain ultimate bliss" (극락왕생) combined with modern music, offering comfort and empathy to those suffering.

NewJeansnim has garnered significant affection from the MZ generation through his EDM DJing and active presence on social media. Simultaneously, the Buddhist community also positively evaluates him for playing a crucial role in promoting youth Buddhism. As a result, he enjoys support from a wide range of ages and social strata, from young people to Buddhist devotees.

NewJeansnim has performed DJ sets at major Buddhist events in Korea, including the Lotus Lantern Festival for Buddha's Birthday, the Seoul International Buddhist Expo, and the Busan International Buddhist Expo. He also continues his musical activities by releasing EDM albums with titles such as 'Buddha Handsome', 'Geukrakwangsaeng (Ultimate Bliss)', 'Don't Be Greedy', 'Jehangmusang (All Things Are Impermanent)', 'Banghachak (Let Go)', and '18 Beonnoe (18 Afflictions)'. He has also appeared on various television programs like 'Morning Yard', 'You Quiz on the Block', and 'My Little Old Boy', increasing his public recognition.

NewJeansnim's activities have sparked religious controversy in some countries, including Malaysia and Singapore. His act of DJing in a monk's robe in clubs was perceived by local Buddhist communities and political figures as trivializing religious elements of Buddhism or sacrilege, leading to protests and the cancellation of some performances. Therefore, when utilizing or referring to the NewJeansnim character, it is crucial to approach with caution, considering the religious and social atmosphere of each cultural context.