Yoon Seong-ho, who goes by the stage name DJ NewJeansNim, performs at Super House Nightclub in Taichung, Taiwan, on April 27, 2024.Dressed as a monk, sporting a shaved head and gray robe, DJ NewJeansNim has become all the rage in recent weeks as he produces EDM featuring Buddhist messages.
Yoon Seong-ho, who is South Korean and got his start in the entertainment scene as a comedian, adopted his dance-music monk alter ego—named after an amalgam of the, NewJeans, and “sunim,” the Korean title for Buddhist monks or nuns—about a year ago, according to his social media profiles. Buddhism has a long history in South Korea, but has in recent years been experiencing a decline: 22% of South Koreansin 2021. Buddhist organizations, whose members are also known to skew older, have been trying to connect with younger people by updating the image of monastics, usually known for their no-nonsense asceticism. Buddhist leaders have embraced opportunities to show off a more engaging side.