"Are You Not Embarrassed to Be Independent?" Han Dong-hoon's Response to an Elementary Student's Direct Question During Campaign

Impromptu Conversations with Students During Street Campaign
Video Goes Viral After YouTube Shorts Release
Some Compare It to the "Seodongyo Strategy"

Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate running in the Busan Buk-gap parliamentary by-election, which is being held alongside the June 3 local elections, is drawing attention for his lighthearted response to a direct question from an elementary school student during a street campaign.

On May 17, Han released a Shorts video on his YouTube channel featuring scenes from his street campaign in Busan. Titled "I Saw You Sharing Jajangmyeon," the video shows Han greeting and signing autographs for elementary, middle school, and kindergarten students he met on the street. The video was released as a YouTube Shorts on Han's channel, and related scenes have been reported by multiple media outlets.

To the children's questions, candidate Han Donghoon replied without any sign of embarrassment, saying, "I'm independent. I'm independent, so what can I do?" and added, "I'm not ashamed." YouTube channel 'Han Donghoon'

In the video, Han asks a group of female students, "Have you been well?" and "Did you go on a field trip?" When one student proudly says, "I bought this hat recently," Han naturally continues the conversation. Then, another girl points to the word "Independent" written on Han's shirt and asks, "Mister, aren't you embarrassed to say you're independent?" Without showing any sign of embarrassment, Han calmly replies, "I'm independent. What can I do as an independent? I'm not embarrassed."

When the children say, "We saw you handing out jajangmyeon," Han laughs and responds, "These kids are really kind." Previously, scenes of Han and others serving jajangmyeon as volunteers for the Busan Buk-gap election had circulated on TV and online. In the video, Han is also seen introducing himself to the students and explaining his campaign pledges. The children express their curiosity by asking Han for his autograph and mentioning they have seen him on the news.

Within and outside political circles, some interpret this as a strategy by an independent candidate, whose party organization is weak, to expand recognition through short-form video content like YouTube Shorts and face-to-face street interactions. In particular, the spread of natural conversations with young students online is seen as a way to raise awareness of the candidate's name among the parent generation as well.

To children's questions, candidate Han Donghoon answered without showing any signs of embarrassment, saying, "I'm independent. I'm independent, so what can I do?" and added, "I'm not ashamed." YouTube Channel 'Han Donghoon'

Some have even compared this to the "Seodongyo Strategy." "Seodongyo" is a Silla hyangga poem from the "Samguk Yusa," which tells the story of Seodong, the youth who would later become King Mu of Baekje, spreading a song among children to spread rumors about his relationship with Princess Seonhwa. The song, which spread among children, eventually reached the royal palace and led to the marriage of Seodong and Princess Seonhwa, according to legend.

Observers note that Han's latest video, by highlighting light and friendly scenes rather than official campaign statements, was also designed to encourage online spread. However, some point out that the use of content featuring minors during the election campaign process requires careful consideration alongside its political promotional effects.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.