Rirang Onair is a Youtuber who heals her viewers through camping and traveling videos. The channel is run by Kim Yi-rang, who travels around the country and films herself camping, hiking, fishing, cooking, and sleeping out in the wild. While Rirang Onair’s main content revolves around camping, she uploads vlogs of her adventures in foreign countries from time to time. Her channel offers a lively second-hand traveling experience to viewers.
The adventurous and challenging attempts of survival camping are what makes Rirang Onair’s videos so attractive and popular among viewers. Unlike common sentimental traveling vlogs filmed in a comfortable environment, Rirang Onair is not afraid to put herself out in the wild, regardless of location and weather. Rirang Onair mainly consists of videos of her camping alone, with only a backpack and few camping equipment. She brings limited equipment and food in order to spend time focusing on nature and herself, making Rirang Onair distinctive from other camping Youtubers. Instead of cooking and uploading fancy or visually pleasing food, her videos show Yi-rang eating canned beer, snacks, ramen, food from the convenience store, and things anyone can find in their home. The sense of freedom and nature provides a vicarious pleasure and helps viewers realize the charm of camping.
# Rirang Onair
Q. Hello. Please introduce yourself.
Hello. I am Rirang Onair, a camper who loves to travel.
Q. Please introduce your YouTube channel, Rirang Onair.
Rirang Onair is a YouTube channel that shows the camping and traveling stories of ‘Rirang.’
# Rirang as a YouTuber
Q. How did you first start your YouTube channel?
In 2018, there was a YouTube boom, and YouTube started to become popular among the young generation. When I first started my channel, I had no particular plan in mind. I simply wanted to record my life and the memories that came along with it. Back when I first started my channel, I was a regular office worker during weekdays but went camping almost every week end. I came up with the idea to film myself camping and upload them on YouTube.
I used a phone application to edit my first few videos, so my current videos probably have a different vibe compared to the videos I uploaded in the beginning. After six months of filming and uploading, I bought a new camera to film videos. Then after six more months, I bought my own laptop to edit my videos more professionally, and now I am here!
Q. How do you plan, film, edit and upload your videos?
My MBTI is ENTP, so I am pretty flexible when it comes to planning for my videos. I do not have a specific plan or system I follow, but I do try to avoid uploading similar videos consecutively. I film all videos by myself, using one or two cameras along with my personal cinematographer, which is my tripod. I have always filmed and uploaded by myself, and I will continue to do so. Besides, it is more comfortable editing on my own because of the short clips included in the videos that need careful editing.
# Rirang Onair, The Camping Journey
Q. What made you get interested in camping?
Back when I used to work in a normal office in Seoul, the term “well-being,” which pursues positive life and being well both physically and mentally became a trend among the younger generation. Due to this trend, many people started to show interest in camping, including myself. I hopped on the bandwagon to pursue my dream of camping outdoors.
Q. Is there a specific episode or a happening that you remember from camping or filming?
I remember a time when I went camping alone on an island in winter. I planned to go camping for two days, but due to the weather I was stuck on the island for four days. I remember being drenched in the severe winter storm.
I had no choice but to walk alone in the pouring rain. Thankfully, I received help from multiple people on the island. I hitch hiked a dump truck and met friendly workers or “ahjumunis” in the nearby restaurants who soothed me with kind words of worry. They introduced me to a warm and cozy guest house on the island. I also remember some police officers who saw me walking alone in the rain, and offered to drive me to my destination. All of these people made my heart warm, which is why I remember this moment, even if it was a very difficult time.
Q. What type of camping style do you enjoy? In what season do you prefer to go camping?
I prefer to go to camping sites that are less tidy, and located deep in the woods with not much around. I love to make a fireplace and just gaze into the flames at night. I enjoy camping all year round, except for summer. If I have to pick one season, it would be winter.
# Rirang Onair, a Pro-Camper and Influencer
Q. Do you have any tips for beginners who want to try camping outdoors?
For beginners who have no experience, I suggest starting easy with camping equipment and tools that you can find lying in your home. I personally believe that one of the best parts about camping is buying and expanding your own camping equipment one by one as you gain more experience. These days, there are various types of high quality camping equipment that you can easily purchase. If I had to pick the most needed item, I would recommend a nice mattress or blanket to keep warm at night. Other than that, everything else can be easily found and bought. These days, there are many camping sites that lend fireplaces to customers, so I recommend making a call and asking about it to the camping site before you go!
# The Future of Rirang Onair
Q. Do you have any ideas on future YouTube content that you would like to try? In what direction would you like Rirang Onair to head towards?
I have always dreamt of making my own hut or lodge that can be used as my personal hideout or private spot. I have not found the perfect location yet, so I am not sure exactly when this dream will come true. Nonetheless, I want to continue to grow as a natural camper in the woods and expand my experience as a camper.
# Rirang Onair’s Message to HJ Readers
Q. Do you have any message you would like to say to Hanyang Journal readers or your subscribers?
Hello, readers of The Hanyang Journal! It is a pleasure to meet you. The past few years were a struggle for everyone due to restrictions coming from the COVID-19. I assume it was a difficult environment to try new things or go on new adventures. I hope 2023 will be a year where you can use your saved energy to try new things and fulfill your dreams. I hope my camping videos can offer healing and help you along the way. Thank you for reading!
