MetaComedy-affiliated comedians Kim Won-hoon, Jo Jin-se, and Eom Ji-yoon jointly produce the popular YouTube channel Shortbox, and the popular corner of Shortbox, the Long-term dating series team, successfully concluded an April Fools' Day wedding event.
Shortbox held a fan meeting on April 1 at a wedding hall in Gangnam District, Seoul, appearing as the Long-term dating couple in a wedding concept and spent a meaningful time with subscribers. The Long-term dating couple Kim Won-hoon and Eom Ji-yoon presented a different kind of enjoyment with productions that resembled an actual wedding ceremony.
Kim Won-hoon and Eom Ji-yoon appeared wearing a tuxedo and a wedding dress, comically completing a fake-but-real wedding concept, and actively communicated with fans attending the event, drawing both laughter and empathy. From the emcee to congratulatory songs and congratulations, the participation of comedians throughout raised the event's level of completion and drew attention.
This fan meeting added a more meaningful significance beyond a simple event. Under the name Shortbox (Kim Won-hoon, Jo Jin-se, Eom Ji-yoon), they decided to donate 30 million won to Seoul Fruit of Love, returning the love they received through their content to sharing and conveying a warm message.
Having conveyed empathy and laughter about real relationships for years through the Long-term dating series, Shortbox used this event to expand the content's world offline and further strengthen ties with fans. The Long-term dating side offered sincere thanks to subscribers through a question-and-answer session filled with deep affection.
[Below: full text of the Long-term dating team's question-and-answer]
Q. The Long-term dating series has resonated with the public and is regarded as a representative popular corner of YouTube short content. What do you think is the secret to receiving such great love?
I think the fact that we infused as many details as possible of actual long-term dating couples' conversations and actions from everyday life earned strong empathy. While comedic productions are enjoyed, ultimately we are empathy comedy, so I think portraying hyperrealistic moments well made viewers feel like it was truly their own story.
Q. As the content continued for a long time, the characters naturally accumulated. How do you map out changes in the personalities of the roles each of you plays and the situations?
To capture the sensibility of a 15-year Long-term dating couple, we focused on a practical and comfortable partnership that perfectly understands each other's habits rather than romantic excitement. However, we made sure to include words or actions that would show the love they have for each other. We build stories around a strong bond that can speak frankly and detailed consideration as the core of each character.
Q. While filming, was there a moment when you thought, 'This isn't acting but real'? Please tell us any memorable episode and the reason.
I remember the early dating episodes. Won-hoon's constant fixing of his hair and his student-like speech were so natural that I thought it wasn't acting. Unlike Ji-yoon, I remember the proposal episode. It was captured on video, but on set I kept bursting into laughter during the proposal, so it was hard. I was grateful that people saw that scene as natural and lovely.
Q. Were there any subscriber reactions or comments that influenced the content or provided feedback?
We always read the comments subscribers leave carefully and gain a lot of help from them. Sometimes a line we thought was perfect doesn't get as much attention as expected, and sometimes viewers love scenes we didn't anticipate. We try to take all those reactions as feedback and reflect them as much as possible in future content.
Q. Having finished Long-term dating and now moving into the post-marriage concept in earnest, I'm curious what prompted you to expand the April 1 April Fools' wedding into an offline event. For what reason did you want to meet subscribers? Also, is there a picture you are drawing?
We wanted to conclude the most beloved Long-term dating series together with our precious subscribers. The friends who cheered during the dating period, the seniors who gave unconditional advice and love, and the younger viewers who said 'I want to date like that' are all our subscribers. We thought it was proper to directly invite them to the occasion that reaps those fruits.
Q. With the wedding concept, there will likely be many themes you want to try going forward. Please give one point of interest to look forward to for each.
There is nothing decided immediately regarding post-marriage content. But we talked about various ideas among ourselves in a fun way, so if you wait with supportive hearts, we will come back with good content.
Q. Was there a trigger for deciding to donate this time? If there is a meaning connected to the Long-term dating series, please explain together.
While preparing this offline wedding event, we thought many young engaged couples might hesitate or struggle with ceremonies because of realistic financial problems. Compared with the excessive love the three of us have received from the public, it's a modest amount, but we quietly gathered the intention with the hope that it would help young people who have quietly kept love for a long time like Won-hoon and Ji-yoon to make a warm new start without being hurt by the wall of reality.
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