Who Is Um Jiyoon?
Korean comedienne Um Jiyoon has gone from being a behind-the-scenes gem to one of the internet’s funniest faces. Known for a stream of witty alter egos—like “Umjirella” and “Um Chair”—she now dishes on her latest viral character, the charmingly masculine “Um Ji-hunnam,” in a recent interview and photoshoot with COSMOPOLITAN Korea.
Comedy Built on Empathy, Not Impersonation
During the interview, Um shared her golden rule: comedy should never come at someone else’s expense. “Imitating a specific person too closely can make fans—or the person themselves—uncomfortable,” she explained. “If the laughing stops for someone, it stops being comedy.” Instead, she focuses on subtly exaggerating quirks without crossing into mockery.
From Career Setbacks to Self-Made Success
Debuting in 2018 through KBS’s 32nd comedian recruitment program, Um faced an uphill battle. “Back then, YouTube and social media weren’t viable platforms for comedians,” she said. Though she passed the audition, the show she was supposed to join was abruptly cut. “I hit a slump. But I realized unless I initiated something myself, nothing would move forward.”
Armed with grit and just a few sketch videos on YouTube, she slowly built momentum—proving that persistence itself might just be the secret sauce of talent.
The Breakout: Real-Life Couple Comedy Goes Viral
By 2021, her sketches showing the deadpan dynamics of long-term couples caught fire. One episode clocked nearly 20 million views. What’s her trick? “Rather than focusing on big gags, I capture tiny, relatable details. Like someone wearing the same accessory for days—why? That kind of question inspires me more than flashy outfits.”
Her “realism comedy” doesn’t rely on a single genius insight, she says, but rather on the collective experiences of the masses. The more universally relatable, the more potent the punchline.
Meet ‘Um Ji-hunnam’—The Heartthrob Nobody Saw Coming
Even viral creators need breaks. After a short hiatus, Um felt the itch to experiment and thought, “Why not try something totally unexpected?” That spark led to her male character, Um Ji-hunnam. “They say men think they could seduce men if they were women, and women think they could charm women if they were men—so I decided to test it myself!” she laughed.
But this wasn’t just a quick wig and go. Um painstakingly styled Ji-hunnam’s look, sporting high-end wigs and bringing on a professional hairstylist. “I wanted the visual to be spot-on because the humor and empathy both stem from it,” she said.
Redefining the Strong Korean Woman
Known for portraying various occupations and personalities, Um is deliberate in her storytelling. So what kind of women does she want to represent? “Independent ones,” she answered. “I don’t go after what looks flashy or trendy. I admire women who walk their own paths, even if they’re rocky. I hope to be one of those women.”
The Takeaway
Um Jiyoon isn’t just building characters—she’s reflecting our everyday messiness, weirdness, and charm in miniature sketches with maximal impact. And if ‘dorky heartthrob in a wig’ isn’t enough to keep you hooked, her unshakable authenticity will be.
