addressing comments on my previous video

[@GladiousMSR]

YOU know for a fact Sungwon is SERIOUS when there is no animal crossing music playing in the background of his videos.

[@glizzy2.O]

This

[@woollywarrior]

That

[@mortalwomprat]

Those

[@BlytheWestchild]

Thisn't

[@tan1585]

These

[@carrierbk5464]

"i am not your friend, and you are not my friend" I see the 'let's eat every flavor of pringle' videos have torn the community apart

[@Jawsomest]

No- Not the PRINGLE videos!

[@Darwingreen5]

Yeah, there needs to be a clear boundary between audience and creator.

[@NobleWrot]

@@carrierbk5464 I believe that he said this to me specifically, making me the main character of his life. (Joking.)

[@Victor_yay]

Clipped for future reference: kzbin.infoUgkxdsZL__bS8mG-Tpj4jMcQ6w1saC8tgg29?si=pQTTs4_CeAzo1XPp

[@Hungryghost01]

😭​@@Victor_yay

[@josephg4067]

When he said "I'm not your friend" he was actually just talking to you guys, me and him are close personal friends even tho we've never interacted ever.

[@SamiJ1508]

I actually went to high school with him but even then he was more like friends with my friends than my friend

[@worldssmallestfan]

Ummmm, we went to the same college, just like half a million other people

[@educate9946]

Yeah well I work at Nintendo with him and we are best buds.

[@SamiJ1508]

@educate9946 does he work at Nintendo?

[@lzg8947]

He hearted my comment once. I'm prcactically his right-hand man.

[@Phoenixz33]

me, a normie who just watches and enjoys the videos as they come: "what the fuck are you all doing to him?"

[@Nate_B123]

Hahaha same.

[@intelli-gent9863]

Bro same. I'm just here for the videos.

[@r0conscious]

This is meeee, chill people unite ❤

[@TopRamin]

I think it should be said that most normal viewers never comment on anything. We just watch and enjoy.

[@r0conscious]

@@TopRamin I consider myself a normal viewer, I hardly comment, but if I comment it's usually just something casual and positive

[@NomadTheProtogen]

You captain this ship, you decide how to sail it. Do what you think is right and feels right. You’re still doing great, remember that.

[@oliver-04]

But we, the audience, are the people holding the ship up

[@cheesesenpai1165]

@@oliver-04 and? we cant force him to do anything, we aren't his boss. even if we all leave, a new viewerbase of people that like the new videos will replace us.

[@womilla]

​@oliver-04 That doesn't change the fact, that if there WAS NO CAPTAIN. You'd have a bunch of shipmates running around not knowing what to do. Don't ever make this comparison. It's unfair and selfish.

[@RedFlameGamer]

@@oliver-04 Not really, he's independently successful due to his voice acting career. This is a side project that's ultimately for his own entertainment, he can run it how he wants. If 90% of his audience disappears he's still gonna be just fine. We aren't holding up anything.

[@deatheater6222]

@@womilla without shipmates there would no ship for him to captain

[@MustangsDog]

Thanks for the honesty! As a fan, I'd rather you have fun with this channel. It's a pleasure and a privilege to watch your content, definitely not a right.

[@turbosoggy8404]

I feel like THIS is the actual parasocial attitude. My take is this- yeah, we aren’t friends with KZbinrs, and that’s why I view them as people who provide a service (entertainment) for me (the consumer). I don’t CARE if they don’t have fun doing it, I want the content. It’s parasocial to expect their fans to care about anything other than how entertaining the content is.

[@kaedense]

@@turbosoggy8404 it’s not really parasocial to have empathy and want people to do what makes them comfortable. the creators are still people and should be viewed as such. they are not and will never be machines made to conform to what YOU want. sure, they make content you enjoy and in exchange get the interaction and feedback they’re seeking. the transaction begins and ends with the upload. if you do not like the product, don’t interact with it. don’t berate the creator over it.

[@aravindkancherla8668]

@@kaedense "They" will make whatever "they" want to and whatever makes "them" money. "You" will never factor into it. It's been made explicitly and abundantly clear. Anything else is wishful thinking, daydreaming, and "parasocial" i guess. --- "Never... conform to what YOU want" -- You're right there. "interaction and feedback they're seeking" = MONEY. Unfortunately, like in every field, unhappy customers will complain. Dress it up however you like.

[@NerdOnTheStreet]

"I know I'm not your friend, it's just such a huge _privilege_ and _honor_ to have the opportunity to watch you eat food with your friends!" Oh my God...

[@insertjokehere212]

Look, dude. I know you're being roasted in here for this. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way. It's just the wording making it seem that way. Maybe watch how you phrase things next time. Or don't and laugh at the comments you get XD

[@guyincognito645]

ProZD: "I just want to be clear: I am not your friend." ProZD is realest KZbinr on my feed. Also, he is not my friend.

[@Evan8787]

Yeah, what a great way to treat your followers after exploiting them for success. "Hey thanks for making my channel huge, I'm now going to stop making the videos you like and instead just eat in front of a camera. If you don't like it idc f*ck off we're not even friends..I'm.big now I don't need you people anymore" What a swell person. I'm glad I unsubscribed.

[@SuperSoldier44]

@@Evan8787 Seek professional psychological help please. I am genuinely concerned for your mental health.

[@EWSwot]

Exploit? Mate you liked his old stuff and don't like his new stuff, it's that simple. Creators don't "owe" to anyone to keep doing what made them popular. It's not a "betrayal", there's nothing to betray. He never "needed" anybody.

[@thebrandunsafeone7184]

@@Evan8787 why are you still here then?

[@RuijsNL]

@@Evan8787 Having that parasocial relation is not good for you man

[@JDUB29624]

I always appreciate how willing you are to be straightforward with your audience. Thank you for taking time to share and really just do what you love.

[@RareGamerViews]

The main reason most people even come to this channel is the let's try food videos, they get the most views by far and the guy still complains they aren't getting enough views. By all means stick to your 500 view board game reviews and stop the let's tries altogether if you want, that will surely get you more views...

[@switchcapturebutton]

I feel like most the comments of that last video were just fans trying to be straightforward back. I don't think the intention was to be negative.

[@favoritepills]

​@@switchcapturebutton yeah, and the comments were way more respectful and polite than he made it sound. nobody said they "hate his friends" or "hate the new format"

[@demianortega1398]

bro he's not your friend, this is so weird to thank them lmao

[@IsmailofeRegime]

@@demianortega1398 To be fair, you don't need to be friends with someone to thank them for something.

[@west3Dgaming]

this camera angle makes it look like those bookcases are toppling at any moment

[@brendanmorales4504]

This is such a realistic skit. You’re an incredible actor.

[@culwin]

Real voice reveal when

[@punchempretty]

@@culwin 5:52

[@ADIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII]

@@punchemprettyLOL

[@RichOrElse]

Really convincing it’s his best work so far

[@Andrethegiant2008]

SungWon: "I looked through the last 20 'Let's Try' videos..." My unobservant ass: "There are 20 of them!?"

[@blairhoughton7918]

The one covering Pennzoil is the best.

[@zephyrias]

Same 😂. I do try to check my sub feeed. Lately ive been catching the short skits. ❤

[@corylcreates]

This is the same for me. Maybe it's just KZbin not pushing visibility of the videos. I look at my subscriptions, but I have a lot of subscriptions and miss things because I'm human 😂

[@niceguy191]

I haven't watched a single one, yet I watched this one...

[@anerdbyanyothername]

There's a playlist on his channel!

[@SonnyO]

ProZD yells at the fanbase views already outperforming the recent Lets Try vids. Congrats on the new series!

[@pineapplegamer6986]

This is the first video I’ve seen on his channel being recommended to me in a while. KZbin always loves pushing drama with the algorithm

[@Towkeeyoh]

We’re such masochists & and yea wtf algorithm, pushing only bloody drama

[@BrentBlueAllen]

I'm excited for the "addressing comments on my previous video addressing comments on my previous video" video

[@weneedaladder8384]

I hope he keeps this going until he reaches the character limit.

[@ACogloc]

This but unironically, I live for drama, I'm really enjoying this, I hope this new series keeps coming. So far it's 150k/video, dis gon be gud.

[@tkox1z]

I noticed these got 100K+ views!

[@aravindkancherla8668]

masterful play for views tbh. your own pot needs stirring now and then

[@aaron-n]

The only videos I get recommended from him now is “I’m gonna end this series now” videos lol

[@Topaz_Estrella]

Honestly same

[@aravindkancherla8668]

masterful play, really

[@levihobbs1416]

I love that you talk candidly about the mechanics of how running a YT channel works and why you make the decisions you do and the transparency around all that. It's fascinating to me and teaches me a lot and is good food for thought for my own creative projects.

[@fullscreenultra]

While he was pretending that these videos of him eating food take a lot of effort to make, funny how he didn't mention that he has an editor who actually covers for him the only bit of work that could be considered 'effort'.

[@WhyIsYoutubeSoTerrible]

I really like this new style of video where you sternly lecture the audience for posting badly

[@guyincognito3815]

😂😂😂… yes! I love it too

[@Deusexmachin4]

"Hey I'll only keep doing these videos if people actually watch them" "Wow what an asshole blaming others for his mistakes" Media literacy is dead.

[@dstn1768]

I hope this style of video really does well views-wise so he's encouraged to only do this type of content

[@lostpencil2147]

Yea let's make this a series. Should we take part in this? 😂

[@chelseacheckington7421]

I think it's more just not performing, so it's just him being straightforward and also kind of maybe like confused and exasperated by all of the comments. I'm neurodivergent, and I often have this experience where people will read emotions into my tone that I don't really feel, when I mostly just feel kind of baffled by why everything is becoming a big deal when I was just actually neutral, so I said something in my neutral voice. It's like instead of resting bitch face, I have resting bitch voice. The only people who don't misunderstand me when I'm more just straightforward and flat are all my close friends that are also neurodivergent.

[@colinharter4094]

In a world where personal branding and algorithms have turned KZbin content into a job rather than a passion, it's refreshing to see ProZD establish boundaries and prioritize his creative vision. I respect the hell out of that.

[@Billkwando]

I would hardly call eating food and talking about it a creative vision. It's literally turning youtube content into a job, and then getting upset when people don't approve of how you're doing the job you gave yourself.

[@Greg-oc7dj]

@@Billkwando This isn't his job.

[@AbiSaysThings]

I mean he is making it a job by setting those performance targets? Nobody is stopping him making what he wants but understandably he wants it to not run at a loss. KZbin has made it harder over time to make money while doing whatever you choose, but following your passion over the audience demand has never been a sound business choice.

[@Greg-oc7dj]

@@AbiSaysThings saying “this is the threshold at which I can probably afford to keep doing this hobby” is pretty meaningfully different, I think. But even if it weren’t, seems pretty reasonable to be annoyed that people are acting like he owes them something, which is how I would describe many of the comments on the last video.

[@derekskelton4187]

@@AbiSaysThings The things he tries cost money. If the videos don't break even he shouldn't make them anymore. Me are just raging

[@wrathisme4693]

*Typically the reason why people don't like a solo channel putting out group videos is because they don't know or care about those other random people* and thus don't care about what they have to say. Its not a paranormal thing, it's about coming to a place for one thing and getting something they don't like instead. Your audience doesn't owe you liking your friends too.

[@French.Toast.5]

I like the genuine honesty and didn’t take it as forceful. You were just blunt about the state of your channel. I personally enjoy seeing your content with your friends and individual ones too. You do you man, keep up the great work!

[@iasomnium919]

Man, were people seriously offended by the fact that ProZD has *gasp* friends!? The betrayal, how dare they interrupt chat's personal time with senpai! /S Agree content with friends is good! I was at work at the time when watching and realized quickly I wasn't feeling watching that much ice cream in one sitting, so I hopped off and figured I'd watch later. Now I'm feeling slightly guilty I may have added to low watchtime likely incurred by the others. Man has friends, he has a channel, the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. Crazy that he even has to defend that.

[@ACogloc]

Dude is swimming in money and has a real solid life, at this point he's entirely doing it for fun and he's telling us how to keep it fun for him. I think we can all respect that.

[@aravindkancherla8668]

@@ACogloc * How to keep it profitable. -- fun is only for friends

[@katyshen1475]

tbh i love your friends, the real killer is that actually your suffering has decreased seeing light leave your eyes as you eat lunchables is truly a one of a kind experience

[@DAHIESTABUNNE]

You know what, I think this is it. Go back to the Oreos one, the suffering is immaculate.

[@billieseyelashes]

@@DAHIESTABUNNE ironically enough i haven't seen that so i'm gonna search for it (however not on behalf of seeing him suffer i promise)

[@amyntasthewolf]

XD

[@Rael0505]

That’s the mercury in the lunchables poisoning him

[@Eclyptical]

Man, these skits are getting really intricate

[@bigyoshi5170]

*King Dragon sends his regards*

[@PipeGuy64Bit]

ARCHIBALD, NO!

[@big_yoshi_13]

so true big yoshi

[@JoeFredrick]

My goat bigyoshi

[@strider3438]

I'm finished

[@Unsung_Tide]

This one right here! 😂😂 deserves to be the top comment for sure!

[@mitchellsteadman4714]

I liked the old version of addressing comments

[@lebroski8071]

Fr I can't believe I heard his pc in the background😔

[@Youtube_Sucks_Eggs]

Yeah, that weird Chain Chomp guy on the shelf kinda ruined the whole vibe, he seemed really awkward on camera and it's like why is he even there?

[@yanied9646]

I can't believe this already reached over 100k and is almost at 200k.

[@wdaniel2221]

I get the parasocial thing, but to be honest many youtubers seem to have inflated egos and think everyone wants to be their friend. They don't. They're just watching a video. Chill out.

[@ShellShock794]

Thank you for finally doing a video of just you, alone in a room, talking only and specifically to me and nobody else. These alone times are so special for us.

[@sway5201]

💀

[@execrisiscoreonearth]

Lol, im certain the joke behind this comment is going to go over people's heads..... But u rite. They rly do be acting like any deviation is an egregious sin.

[@aravindkancherla8668]

HE'S NOT YOUR FRIEND SHUT UP 😠

[@billieseyelashes]

lol 😭

[@FlynnTheRedhead]

3:25 Meanwhile Sung-Won's actual friends watching the video 😔

[@KaliTakumi]

Sung-Won's friends punching the air rn

[@pattyofurniture694]

Poor steve

[@gandhithegreat328]

Lmao

[@dsl69]

💔

[@FlopNonStop]

@@KaliTakumi isn't punching air a celebration? I've seen people use punching air in the context of a bad thing, but I've only ever seen people punch air in celebration of something

[@jonaseriksson3782]

This video got over 100k, so does that mean you'll continue doing this new format of ranting to your fans?

[@kvetcha]

Fifteen Million Merits, baby

[@quacknaround]

The algorithm has spoken

[@ws04]

ROFL

[@aravindkancherla8668]

Yes, Yes it does.

[@saltiestsiren]

More people come to these kinds of videos because they're concerned (or like drama ig) which is heartwarming to me tbh

[@Dalton4D]

the food review drama is crazy

[@nozzwald]

This gave a big Streisand effect where I didn’t know there was an issue until it was addressed, and now it feels weird. Having someone read your comments for you might be a nice route

[@wert677]

The let's try series carried me through covid

[@jychromatic]

And the pokemon ranking videos too, for me, haha

[@10Neon]

"My sense of smell may be gone, but at least I can still experience flavor through ProZD"

[@shadowraygun4000]

the let’s try videos are gonna carry me through 2025 hopefully

[@sensifacient]

I feel like a deluge of internet feedback is like a low-grade acid bath. It eats at the skin until even the lightest touch feels galling. And that may be happening. It isn’t my business, but I would say the same to any stranger. Best wishes.

[@cameronschyuder9034]

(Kind of a tangent) Adding on bc I like the point and analogy you made: this happens with any prolonged exposure to negative feedback about x specific thing. Why are some women very “sensitive” with any perceived sexism even if there is none intended? Why are some racial minorities very defensive with any perceived racism even if what was said can be easily explained by just ignorance? Etc etc. You can call the feather rufflings a defense mechanism. In real life and (especially) on the internet, it’s hard to tell what ppl really mean by what they say- if it’s just a “this is just my opinion you don’t need to do anything abt it” statement or a “this is my opinion and I expect you to cater to it” statement

[@DavidCruickshank]

@@cameronschyuder9034 Really good point.

[@sensifacient]

@cameronschyuder9034 Right, yeah. The reaction feels confusing or aggressive to people who mean no harm, but prolonged exposure to an irritant creates the reaction - it doesn't come from nothing. I imagine he does get weird parasocial stuff. Anime voice actors often seem to. I imagine being inundated with conflicting items of advice and opinions gets frustrating even if it is genuinely well-meaning. A lot of attention, positive or negative, abrades... I also honestly think that long-term exposure to Internet comments is an acid bath for all of us! I really WOULD tell anyone that. The only way to recover is to get out of the acid bath, but how does a creator do that and also make a living? It isn't my business, but I really don't know.

[@FleegalFlargel]

This is pretty intense considering its around videos involving eating food

[@PhilaFlyers48]

While the comments he's addressing are weird, this video is also very weird.

[@RoyaalC]

Look what you guys did. You got us in trouble.

[@soapgaming4903]

This is like when the class clown gets the teacher so mad they yell at the whole class

[@pinkpugginz]

These people are insane.

[@flamemasterelan]

@@soapgaming4903 I once had a class so bad, we made our teacher leave the room crying and we had another teacher come in to scold us in her place.

[@NerdOnTheStreet]

I might care about getting lectured if we were friends. Fortunately, he let us off the hook for that.

[@soapgaming4903]

@@flamemasterelan I just feel bad for that teacher man

[@theknight3583]

I love seeing your friends in your videos, it's so lively

[@qwertyloops]

I hate seeing your friends in your videos, it's too lively

[@batsy_99]

i don’t mind seeing your friends in your videos, it’s ok

[@crome66]

plus imagine wanting him to be alone in his room trying 50 Olive Garden dishes by himself... it just makes logical sense to have more people to help out, not let it go to waste, and just have fun with it while you're at it.

[@mrsmi1ey]

1000% the videos are just fine with friends. it adds a bit of extra flavor.

[@mikesweeney2324]

Apologies for not knowing his name, but the dude with the lip piercings is goddamned great.

[@glencoconut]

this video getting more views than the previous video is mildly amusing

[@urquimedes4459]

Not telling you you SHOULD do this, just thinking "out loud" I think this is the reason why so many youtubers hire a person to run their socials and read the comments. It's usually the negative thoughts the ones that will be said out loud, and it can be a lot to try to figure out the pattern when in reality, there is none. Everybody likes different shit. I hope you continue doing these videos, but I completely understand if you're burnt out. At the end of the day, I'm just excited about seeing you voice act and on Dropout. Your youtube content is just a fun extra, and I'm sorry it's causing you frustration.

[@OmniMon94]

Agreed

[@YBlvr]

I LOVE the “Let’s Try” videos. I have a ton of food allergies, so I can’t have most of the food that you try on your channel, and your detailed descriptions are as informative as they are entertaining. That’s why I jump at every opportunity to watch the latest Let’s Try video. The only exception is when the video is on the long side (which only happens to coincide with the videos with your friends because you’re trying way more food items), and even then, I’d save it for later or watch it in a few sittings. I don’t mind what format they’re in, I’m going to keep watching them as long as you keep making them.

[@gints2766]

I HATE- naw I can’t say it even for the joke

[@randomripoff123]

lol same boat, actually. i can't have a lot of seafood or coconut or nuts, so i like hearing from someone who Can eat them and enjoys them. anyway, hard agree!

[@render1802]

I'm just poor. I like his reviews so I can see what's good and don't waste money on crud. :D

[@mellow8176]

lol the parasocial angle is.. definitely weird, but I absolutely see the "i feel like we're inconveniencing you in the middle of something" take

[@GIChiyo]

More people need to CLEARLY and DIRECTLY call out the parasocial nutjobs like you did in the video, kudos

[@gulthor]

A lot of content creators won't because they're deliberately preying on those relationships. But I'm with you.

[@almightycinder]

I blame Twitch. They actually do act like they're friends with their chat.

[@gulthor]

@@almightycinder I was watching an Octopath Traveler video discussing secondary jobs, and the KZbinr's sign-off was, "I love you all", and it completely skeeved me out.

[@devilmikey00]

@@almightycinder Streaming actively rewards it. Those parasocial nutjobs are the ones buying subs, donating and gifting. Alienating them is bad business. All you need is a handful of parasocial whales and suddenly twitch is a profitable career.

[@misterknite]

@@almightycinder So true! And it makes sense, Twitch chat says the wildest most hateful shit. It's like they think they can say the same shit you say to your closest buddies, but to strangers it's like insane to talk to someone like that. They don't see the line. It's wild.

[@isaiahwalking]

4:34 that really threw me off- i legitimately thought my pc did that.

[@EkimGram]

Same

[@Goremejy]

Trying to call out comments always goes well 😂

[@FrightfulFailures]

Oh yeah?? Well if Sungwon isn't my friend, then how come he comes on my phone and tells me about every flavor of Pringle? Sounds like a friend to me.

[@blairhoughton7918]

Hey! How did you get my phone?

[@billybee77]

I never comment on things but I wanted to put some positivity in here-I like when your friends are in the video! It makes me reassured that all the foods get eaten and ALSO gets eaten in good company :) I also was very fortunate the rate in which you'd been posting them this past month or so (though definitely no pressure to post at any kinda rate if at all!) because I had a serious family tragedy and have been definitely struggling to eat. However, putting on those let's try's and eating along with you and your friends has really helped me love food again :) I originally found you for your voice acting (loved you in things like aggretsuko and neon white, and currently watching dungeon meshi) and please keep doing what makes you happiest

[@jazzillion8356]

💙

[@DoveJS]

I hope things get better for you and your family and also I totally get it, eating while someone else is eating can help. I often use YT videos in general to boost my motivation to eat or remind me, even if there's no food, but of course someone else eating in them works best for that lol. I also enjoy having his friends in the video because I feel bad if the food goes to waste. This way even if it's a flavor/texture that Sungwon dislikes we know someone else can enjoy it! Also it's just interesting to get their different opinions. I think the only thing I don't like is that the videos where he has everything at once, on the same day, feel more rushed which is understandable since he doesn't want the food temperatures to shift substantially from what's optimal. So, I don't want to force his friends or wife out of these videos by any means and I don't think that's a factor that's as relevant as how much pressure the timing adds. And I don't want him to feel pressured to make a whole bunch of these as fast as he can. Maybe a good middle-ground would be to try a significant chunk of items with his friends but not everything on the same day? Of course he should do whatever works best for him and his schedule. This is just his side hobby and it requires funding to keep going since food costs money. So I realize there are some inherent restrictions on making any of this work in the first place lol. And I didn't know he voiced someone in Dungeon Meshi! That's one more reason I absolutely need to watch it.

[@statementofjoespooky1660]

I’m someone who doesn’t really watch the let’s try video but seeing all the comments about people watching them while they eat have convinced me to watch them now. I’m really struggling with eating at the moment and eating along with someone else (even if it’s a video) helps. I hope you’re well and that things improve for you

[@MazzieMay]

I didn’t leave a comment about not liking the “new style,” but I will say they’re the only ones showing up in my subscription page. Maybe that’s why so many people thought all of them had “changed”

[@Rendolf45]

Your actual subscription page and not just your home page? Because if that's the case then that's just an issue on KZbin's end and there's nothing he can do about it. If you did mean your home page, then that goes hand in hand with the algorithm stuff he was talking about; the "new style" ones are doing rather well, so KZbin is showing them more than the other ones.

[@Billkwando]

Plus he keeps saying "Only 5 videos, out of 20". Only 5 videos is still a quarter of them. It's not like it's 3 out of 30, lol. And yeah, those are the only ones you see.

[@TheVivi13]

@@Billkwando A quarter is a pretty small amount when people are claiming that the entire style of the series changed

[@Billkwando]

@ I know, I'm just saying it's not an insignificant amount, and if that's what all the recent ones are, naturally that's all the algorithm is going to show them.

[@emile_jeanne]

Hey same thing here. They seem to get recommended more often for some reason

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

*honestly,* i think its just that the more common/famous brands get more views. I've seen the pringles one and like, other international brands, but the more niche or local chains, not so much. Maybe its just that?

[@FlameEmber]

I found a lot of the comments on the video to actually be really constructive and agreed with many valid points. ..but you're ignoring all of that just to fight about the minority of toxic comments.

[@jaredpoon5869]

I didn’t scroll through all 1000+ comments, but the vast majority of the top comments were about how they liked the old format better because he seemed more engaged. You’re right; this was kind of a strange rant.

[@happyfacefries]

Agreed. I went on that video and that's not what I saw

[@YoJesusMorales]

This feels like an april fool's sketch. He must be super frustrated for this to be an actual video.

[@cinnabun11]

He has definitely made posts like this in the past, he talks down to his audience often

[@YoJesusMorales]

Yeah. I don't think he is the issue.

[@NerdOnTheStreet]

​@@YoJesusMorales Ask yourself what actual impact this video is going to have on the people he was talking about and the people he "wasn't." Then reconsider that.

[@reesescreases]

What impact? Knowing that creators don't always appreciate their business advice?

[@luciolelights]

I really respect that you always stick to your convictions in how you run the channel. I've just watched the videos as they come the past 10 years and will continue supporting you however I can

[@asiancanadian1584]

I read some of the comments of the previous video, and although there are lots of people voicing their preferences and critiquing your videos, they all seem to be pretty positive about the whole thing. They seem like true fans that love you and your content.

[@turbosoggy8404]

I think, like a lot of KZbinrs and content creators, he just has thin skin

[@execrisiscoreonearth]

​@@turbosoggy8404 unless you are combing through every single comment, as a viewer, you simply aren't going to see the same comments that the video creator is seeing..... KZbin filters many of them out on our end, especially the past few years. The video creator is going to see ALL of them, though. And frankly he may just delete or comment filter on his own end. KZbin itself will slowly stop showing comments that get too much negative interaction, though, unless you *REALLY* look for them. Also, if yall just talking about the literal top comments..... I'm going to be honest here, you dont get an honest representation of comments after 24 hrs from top comments, only the non controversial ones. Negative comments get culled to the bottom and positive/neutral comments get up voted to the top.

[@PrinceLowell]

@@turbosoggy8404 have you watched literally any of his videos because you wouldn't be saying that if you had lol. he sets ONE boundary and ppl go nuts. several years on youtube of him going "eh it's fine i don't care" and he says One single time that people overreacted and now he has thin skin? y'all are weird.

[@reaperman111]

@@turbosoggy8404 he doesn't, and youtubers don't have thin skin in general; if you stopped to take time and tried to think about how frustrating it is for a crazy amount of people who don't know you to criticize you, demand more of you, take an overly familial tone and insinuate weird things you'd understand a little. and that's only the not-so bad scenarios. there are people who will argue with them, insult them, call them names and feel entitled to their time and art. i advise you to not say such a thing about prozd and other youtubers when you have no idea what its like. i am not a youtuber, but if you stop and think a little it isn't that hard to imagine.

[@mx.rain_yt]

​@@turbosoggy8404Hell no, I saw the comments in the first few hours. They were super toxic.

[@DianaSinny]

While I didn't see any comments saying they hate your friends in the food critiques, I did see in a lot of the top comments that they talked about how they liked your "old style" of these videos without hating on the "new style". I like all of them but I believe that's fair that they said it anyways because the previous video sounded like you wanted an answer why the videos were doing poorly minus the KZbin algorithm and people naturally want to help out with suggestions and why they like to watch because they love these kinds of videos > They do not want them to go away because of low views. I appreciate how straightforward you are though. I doubt some internet clowns saying they hate your friends with the "new style" (LMAO) would really sway you in any way if you weren't seriously already thinking about axing the food critiques anyways.

[@mmagiraffe]

Yeah the video was specifically about dropping viewership, which I think generated a lot of people trying to offer their advice, which was then perceived as negative even though I don't think that was the intention. I mean, I haven't done a deepdive into the comments, so I'm sure there could be some nasty ones buried within. But the top comments anyway, didn't seem as hateful as is being stated.

[@PabloEdvardo]

This entire video is basically sungwon downplaying the feelings of their viewers who expressed genuine, critical feedback. He consistently interpreted them as "hate", and triples down in the video. Imagine asking your audience for feedback and help, and then calling the people who responded parasocial. Holy shit, haha. Parasocial can be in reverse you know?

[@EditUnivers75]

I mean, he specifically says in this video that he wasn’t looking for criticism so I think it just kind of was unexpected and hurtful. It shouldn’t have been, it wasn’t meant to be, but he probably wasn’t expecting people to basically tell him to make the let’s try videos by himself. That must have felt like an attack on his friends, and I get it. I think the whole thing of “get it to this amount of views or I stop” rubbed some viewers the wrong way, and likewise their response rubbed him the wrong way.

[@andyentrekin5893]

Yea when i had previously skimmed the top comments on the last video none of them felt parasocial or mean so this response video feels very strange and out of left field. I'm all for calling out parasocial weirdos or ppl being overly negative or hateful but I didn't see any of that in the previous comments. At least the top ones, maybe some weirder ones were buried or in reply threads but nobody should read those anyways

[@jj3665]

The literal top comment on the video is about how much they hate his friends being onscreen.

[@BigBoiAlpha]

i’m interested in the videos only if i know the product/chain, if i don’t i might watch like 5 minutes, but when you mentioned hi-chew i went “oh man i can’t believe i missed that one!”

[@SamAdam87]

I would add the caveat ...in that if I know and also like the product/chain.

[@danieleminuti71]

I have to say, I enjoy this video much more then the videos in which you and your friends tell me you are not my friends.

[@samw3908]

Stop reading the comments; it's clear that it is doing you harm.

[@xnflg3074]

I feel like you’re taking this all super seriously. Since this isn’t your “job,” just do what you want. Real fans will stick around no matter what.

[@sebYB67]

Your criticisms of the previous video's comments are 100% valid, but I think it's important not to toss the word "hate" around so lightly. No one said they hated the videos with your friends. "Dislike" and "prefer" were the strongest sentiments I remember seeing in those comments, which is just not the same thing.

[@mistyknightsbionicarm]

Prozd villain arc

[@miles_quartz]

noooo 😭

[@jonikari100]

This is the internet so I don't doubt some of the comments were crazy like that, but I have to imagine most of the comments weren't like that

[@hopegold883]

I hope so

[@Topaz_Estrella]

When I was looking, it was the most upvoted comment and had a lot of replies, too that had a lot of hate and criticism

[@Mike-rx1vf]

It wasnt hate it was criticism

[@mx.rain_yt]

As someone who saw the comments in the first few hours, I can not overstate, they were like that and then some.

[@ColorlessAngelz]

I didn't comment on your last video, but I did go to your "let's try" playlist and rapid fire liked half the videos to boost you in the algorithm, since it's the least I (and every other viewer) could do in return for the many hours of entertainment those videos have provided. As for the parasocial part of this video, I want to clarify something (as someone who also sees "parasocial relationships" as the delusional cringe they are): I also prefer seeing you alone in your videos, NOT because you are literally physically alone and "iTs JusT yOu aNd mE hUeHuEhuE", but because, when you take time to interact with people off screen (with the exception of your wife since she actually lives with you and is your life partner), it comes across as an interruption and takes away from the time/focus on the actual reviewing/describing of the food, ESPECIALLY if they give their input and it may end up affecting your opinion, which can make your opinion then come off as less genuine/your own. These are just my thoughts as a casual long time fan who still enjoys your videos.

[@FlintTD]

5:51 High Energy KZbinr ProZD genuinely frightened me.

[@miadietrich7347]

I just never clicked on Let's Try videos, but clicked on everything else and watched those instead. Easy peasy. Creators should make what they want.

[@justfloatingthrough2457]

Same. I sub to ProZd for the skits. Still am subbed. I tried one of the “Let’s Try” vids and it’s not for me. Done, easy, end of story. It’s not that hard.

[@fasterbuilder11]

@@justfloatingthrough2457 Me too.

[@DucedoTV]

Same but this is also the root of the "issue". The algorithms penalize his channel and especially those videos because we don't care about them. It's why Screen Rant eventually caved and moved Pitch Meeting to its own channel. Having 4m subscribers is both a blessing and a curse when you try something different.

[@ELFanatic]

This is his misstep. He refuses to make a separate channel where it can find it's own audience and grow. It's like he's selling donuts, nails and charcoal at his store. And you're like, I'll take one of your donuts and he's like, I don't sell it that way. I throw it all into a single bag, you gotta pick it out yourself. Then he's like the marketing team is against me, they're not selling any of my product. Alright man, believe what you want to believe. He'd do so much better with dedicated channels. I'm one of them. I'm just here for his skits, but it's a wheel of fortune spin every time I click on his videos, who knows how often I haven't clicked because I'm not in the mood for a mystery spin.

[@Conorator]

@@ELFanatic You don't understand the situation at all. An accurate version of your analogy would be: He's selling donuts, nails, and charcoal at his store. All of the customers come in and buy donuts and charcoal, but never the nails. He then makes an announcement and says: "People used to buy these nails all the time, but they aren't doing as well. I'll advertise them one last time, but if I don't sell 100 boxes by the end of the day, I'll stop stocking them." After that announcement, people run into his store, complain about how the nails are the wrong length (he sells both the "correct" length and the "wrong" length, people just only checked the aisle with the "wrong" length and assumed he didn't stock the "correct" length anymore), and then leave, without buying any nails, or giving him any time to explain that he still had the length they wanted. When he brings up this issue, he's bombarded with even more complaints, this time about how he's so whiny, begging for people to buy nails that clearly nobody wants. Don't you see the problem here?

[@2cansofbulmers]

Your comments on parasocial behaviors is spot on. It's so weird

[@r.handerlie9607]

It started out as a "nerd" channel and then morphed to making these let's try videos super popular. Plenty of "nerds" don't have friends, so the parasocial dynamic of having this online friend is completely logical to me. I think we have to look beyond just calling it weird and address the heart of the matter.

[@joewaid]

​@@r.handerlie9607Uh, no, it's weird. While there is a societal problem on social interactions, that doesn't mean we should justify something harmful like parasocial relationships.

[@sgtjonzo]

​​@@r.handerlie9607 no it is weird and if anyone really genuinely thinks the random man on the internet they've never met is their friend, they are weird too

[@OdaGoda957]

@@r.handerlie9607there can be more to it at the viewer level I suppose but that doesn’t take away any of the weirdness. Most people aren’t diving that deep into it so just calling it weird for the average person is fine. It is after all very weird

[@RaspBerryPies]

Yo for real I’m glad he called it out

[@otaku-chan4888]

I think the main problem is that Sungwon thought that _only_ the people who liked watching the let's try videos watched the last video asking for views on the series. But in reality, many of his subscribers clicked out of curiosity. And people are _extremely_ good at offering unsolicited advice. there is a problem -> Sungwon presents a solution -> viewers feel compelled to offer their _own_ advice on what would be a good solution (change the style / do this/ do that / look more interested / don't be cynical if you enjoy doing it, etc) This isn't Sungwon's fault, but the moment a content creator says "[insert video type] isn't doing well..." the comments will _automatically_ proceed to give their opinions on why it isn't doing well, because they associate views (or lack thereof) with themselves. I feel like Sungwon misconstrued the unsolicited advice signs of viewers being parasocial as a form of displacement, because he would rather confront viewers being parasocial rather than accept negative feedback from random viewers who don't even watch the let's try videos. I'm sure some viewers are definitely parasocially attached... but that wasn't the majority. sorry about this Sungwon.. maybe add a disclaimer to your video next time saying "I'm not asking for advice, I'm just doing what i like, so don't tell me what should/shouldn't change according to you" if it makes you upset.

[@Joshualovechang]

100% agree, well written. He is terrible at accepting negative feedback.

[@DavidCruickshank]

Definitely agree with this!

[@michaelromick9596]

I mean, I think this true about people in general, they feel like they need to offer advice, even when not asked. Not just to content creators. It's one of my biggest pet peeves...

[@amyntasthewolf]

mmm... i'd say that's true, but the people making that comment he's talking about is also in like, each group let's try video lol

[@westonkoury]

HI SUNGWON I LOVE ALL YOUR LET'S TRY VIDEOS NO MATTER THE STYLE! THEY ARE ALWAYS A HIGHLIGHT OF MY WEEK! ☀

[@room_208]

Honestly, as much as I like the let’s try videos and would love to see more, I kinda think you should just stop doing them, if this has been the response and outcome. Negative feedback will always resonate louder than positive, but if you’re feeling the way you have expressed in the previous two videos, I dunno man, shut it down. Make decisions for you, not for followers.

[@GuiriTV]

Are you trying to get back into content creation for the money or views? I'm confused, because I swore in anothrr video you stated KZbin isnt yout job but a fun side hobby. If that's the case, does it matter if videos dont do well? Does it matter what we think, as long as there are a few folks who do find joy in what you do? It's not worth chasing the rat race if it's negatively impacting you. Seeing this type of video in the past few months of "addressing" viewers is disheartening. It's not worth putting any mental effort or energy into something like this unless KZbin content creation is a main source of income. Just do what you want and focus on having fun. If it doesn't pan out or cause stupid discourse, so what? The algorithm favors clickbait brainrot anyways, and most of us are here to get away from that. Personally, I love the Let's Try in any format, and watch it while playing Runescape since it's cozy content. Though I do admit I originally came for the funny skits and nothing more.

[@TheMysteriouswatcher]

No, it's because the Let's Try videos are expensive as fuck and if people don't want them, why would he make them?

[@GuiriTV]

@TheMysteriouswatcher For fun? People spend tons of money on hobbies or jokes, just for fun. But if it's bothering him so much, then he's trying to get a return on his investment, which doesn't sound like "this is just a fun thing I do on the side."

[@steelsmithj]

Meanwhile I'm sitting here missing board game reviews

[@NATOnova]

Absolutely. I think he helped grow the board game hobby as well

[@waitselljones8068]

He never did Villainous :(

[@redheadmedia7901]

Thumbnail: Happy Face! He must've liked the comments! Video: "You're not my friend. I'm not your friend." Oh. In all seriousness though, i hope you find content that you love to do and gains a lot of views. I can't imagine how stressful it must be to watch a series decline in popularity. You're a talented voice actor, a very funny person, and I love the vibe your content gives off. Always rooting for you.

[@OmicronAwesome]

You're right about the algorithm not doing you any favors. This is the first video that I've seen pop up on my feed at all. Which led me down the rabbit hole of a bunch of other videos which is probably why it was recommended to me in the first place (this video probably got a ton of interaction). All I get recommended from you are shorts and rarely at that.

[@happyfacefries]

The thing is, this happens to everyone. That's why everyone says like and subscribe

[@chasevictory9465]

Look man, parasociality goes both ways. I like the Let's Try videos but if you stop making them tomorrow I'll be fine. My criticism is it feels like you feel you need to make them, and it is clear when you're interested in the topic (Jollybee, Hi-Chew, etc.) and when you're not.

[@TheSynthisis]

I do miss the skits a ton but appreciate you being clear on their absence and why.

[@Pruncible]

ProZD's actual friends watching this video: "I knew it!"

[@Dorraj]

It's your channel so you do what you want obviously. But I really didn't see people saying they "hate" the videos, the issue is when you are with friends it usually means that you are eating it all in one day and it shows that you are very much done with the food like halfway or 3/4 the way through. Personally, I like seeing your friends and their reactions to some of your takes like your hate for some of the ice creams while they were like "bruh what". That's why I like the let's play channel after all as well. But I do agree that when you are clearly not having a good time, we don't either. I don't care if you're at your friends house, in your kitchen with Anne Marie popping in every once in a while, or sitting in your room suffering alone. I just want you to enjoy what you're doing and not suffer because you're eating 40 things in one day. But again, it's your channel. Please don't take a vocal minority to heart like this. You are definitely right when you say people just hate change. But who cares? Do what you want to do my guy.

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

I've had people I just met start off asking my advice for getting big on KZbin and then end up giving ME unprompted advice five minutes later. I think most of your subs are just trying to be helpful and don't understand you already know what works and what doesn't and have exhausted all your options. I'm here for the skits personally but wish you luck with whatever you feel like doing right now, that's supposed to be how KZbin works, it should accommodate the creator. Might shrink your audience but it's more important to have fun and that's your own choice to make.

[@Evan8787]

He says this while his channel is still big. Watch his tune change if his channel starts to die.

[@topasu9454]

@@Evan8787 he does NOT give a shit about how big or small he is. why can't you understand that? keep being mad about it, i guess.

[@topasu9454]

@@Evan8787 you didn't listen to the 'maybe stop and think' part, did you?

[@ballista8510]

@@topasu9454 Okay but you are saying he doesn't care yet he wants the videos boosted on the Lets Try videos. So which it is?

[@yujj8]

The thing is, when you change style of videos, you alienate a part of your audience that only watched you because of those videos (e.g. skits). So, you can't expect people to keep following you when you change type and style. Some people will leave (not before complaining about it lol) and, if your new content is good enough, different people will come.

[@xplayfan21]

I don't mind his friends but I do agree with the comment on him going through too fast through the items

[@רפאל-ב]

One difference I do mind a little between the office and kitchen is audio. There isn't much you can do (except for using a neck mic or soundproofing, but it'd be ridiculous to audio-treat a kitchen just for a YT vid) But yeah, personally I don't like the echo-y sound, it also makes it harder to understand what's been said

[@mikaross4671]

I agree. It's the reason I have a hard time watching those videos. The audio is definitely off.

[@corylcreates]

Yeah that's part of it for me

[@keving402]

You made a video telling people to support a type of video and people voiced their opinion (valid or not). People saying they "hate" seeing your friends doesn't mean it's a parasocially motivated. I support you doing what you love, don't let these comments get to you no matter how many thumbs up or whatever they may have.

[@UTeewb]

I especially love the implication that's it's a super weird prosocial controlling romantic relationship. I don't like seeing your friends because I want you all to myself! If anything the ones who are truly prosocial would love seeing their youtube iidol with their friends.

[@BroBlaidd]

Don’t be discouraged, everyone is going to have different opinions. Thank you for the videos my guy. You continue to make the videos you want to make. You are appreciated

[@iPakJr]

Yeah I find this video and these comments so bizarre

[@123colt321]

Agreed something fishy here

[@UnlaunderedShirt]

Oh no, we got a bad grade in KZbin viewer, which is a definite real thing and we should be sad

[@CybusterKai]

Been watching you for a long time really appreciate your integrity in regards to stuff like this. You make great content and I'll keep on enjoying it regardless.

[@MalzraAirwynn]

I appreciate how honest and straightforward, and when called for blunt you are addressing the audience. Do what you want to do.

[@Imal00ter20]

Feels like I've gone back in time to when people would always post videos like "WHY AREN'T YOU WATCHING MY VIDEOS?" and then getting upset when they get the answer that they directly asked for. There's a reason why none of those videos are made anymore, cause they're cringe as hell.

[@kayfimt7769]

Let’s Try Responding To All 2000 Asinine Comments

[@imrahil_327]

😂😂 Well-played

[@leotide1990]

A lot of us like the vibe of the videos you do alone in your office. It just feels nice and cozy. We'd like more of those, but this is also about what you enjoy, what's convenient, and what's feasible - totally understandable, so do what you need to do!

[@teadeity363]

This felt manic af

[@adalaza]

I'm gonna be honest, the sarapocial aspect of this is really sad to see. You can't let folks get under your skin to the point you need to make a 7 minute rant about it.

[@VerkoAviarhidea]

oh wow, this is the first time I can see different audio tracks on a video

[@jesusaguirre2150]

Let's try to be civil.

[@thatjeff7550]

Hey, Sungwon. In the previous post I mentioned that I didn't like the food videos and preferred the skit videos instead. I know you were asking folks to watch the food videos if they liked them so that you would see a boost in views IF people were interested in that style of video. I wasn't trying to be the "I HATE THAT!!! DO THIS!!!" kind of viewer, I was simply stating preferences if you were making a tally of what folks were into. If you're wondering as to why, I just don't like watching people eat. It's not a "you" thing, it's just me being icked out watching folks eat food. Sorry if my comment was being seen as adversarial. That was not my intention.

[@Gooble92]

"if I don't like doing them, I won't do them" then.... Don't? Do it if you want to. Don't beg for views.

[@powerfulech0356]

Yeah I’d rather he just stop than try this negotiation tactic

[@chrismurdock5287]

Always a fan of your stuff. Happy to see you make whatever you want to make. Try not to let the comments get to you! Thanks for all of the great content.

[@chessie2003]

A lot of people aren't good at articulating why they don't like something, they just know something feels off. They see someone else's opinion that only sorta makes sense but they jump onto it (e.g. the "new style"). The specific facts are wrong, but the perception/feelings are accurate.

[@Spacemancer]

i thought you were just doing this channel for fun so its weird you were canceling a "type of video" because it was "doing poorly", so if you enjoy making the lets try videos keep making them? it sounds like if you actually only did this channel for fun you should just upload and not regard the videos or comments after that

[@amyntasthewolf]

the problem is money, those videos cost money, if they don't do well, they're harder to do. if they do too badly, better just not do them. but if you do, people will complain a lot lol

[@devilmikey00]

because buying 30+ meals from a fast food chain is expensive. The videos might be fun for him but if he's literally not breaking even on them anymore then he's not going to keep doing them. I thought that was self evident.

[@Spacemancer]

@ when you state you keep the channel up for fun then it isnt about the money anymore, and this channel is definitely bringing in some money for him, hes recording this on a phone or webcam camera its not self evident because its contradictory. yeah its expensive but its for fun for the channel, he must be making enough that the cost doesn't matter and its just an experiment, he let the scale get out of hand because before he would spread the meals out so it would be more efficient

[@SpaveFrostKing]

Maybe it's just the algorithm, but literally every time I'm recommended a ProZD video, it's Sung Won complaining about how awful being a KZbinr is.

[@harrisonlorens3585]

Same unfortunately

[@Youtube_Sucks_Eggs]

Interestingly, he's the only one who seems to repeatedly complain about this

[@SILVERF0X13]

Sorry that the comments on the last one had that feel to it. I think a lot of people more meant that they like when you have more in depth description than that they specifically want to see you alone, but I know that's not everyone. Either way, glad to see you just address people head on, and keep on doing what you want how you want.

[@topasu9454]

no, they definitely meant to be a bunch of entitled little shits. don't downplay it.

[@butterfingersman]

i feel like people put their input in on the lets try series because the video title was worded as an engagement plea to people who havent clicked on your videos in a while, myself included. i didnt leave input on the video series because i went back and actually watched the lets try videos because i like them, but the average person probably clicked the first link in the list and felt like it was annoying. that video didnt gel with me, so i left a like, clicked off, and watched the others for a longer period of time. it's your channel though, i believe you should progress with whatever you want to progress with. if you're put off from those videos due to the unjust criticism, the videos wont be as good, and id rather you create something you want to create. but remember that the silent majority likes your videos on youtube, people are just more likely to comment if they think something is bad.

[@petalpielily6740]

Is it necessary to continue reading our comments if they keep making you feel this way? Could that not also lead to burnout? To clarify, this comes from a place of curiosity.

[@switchcapturebutton]

18 of the last 20 were in the kitchen. Maybe that's part of it?

[@erinjackson8119]

I do wish more creators were more comfortable saying “I am not your friend and you are not my friend” because people online are a bit too comfortable talking to each now. There are times when I post something and people talk to me in such a disrespectful way that I can tell is supposed to be playful but is just really weird as a stranger. I’m really glad Sungwon took time to address that.