Cherry Jang and the Art of Outlandish Capitalism in Korea’s Digital Underworld

A ticking time bomb, a fake apocalypse, and a livestreamer demanding donations—this is how Ryu Sungsil’s alter ego, Cherry Jang, first captured the internet’s attention. Her satirical videos, styled after Korea’s wildly popular online broadcasters, blur the line between art and viral content, turning the absurdity of digital life into a sharp critique of capitalist values. Ryu’s characters, from the hustling Cherry Jang to the over-the-top Lee Daewang, parody everything from influencer culture to package tours and even pet funerals. Each performance is packed with props and language that poke fun at Korean consumerism, exposing how money and spectacle shape everyday life. By choosing YouTube and social media over traditional galleries, Ryu reaches mass audiences who may not even realize they’re watching art. Her lo-fi, copy-paste visuals echo the chaotic energy of internet memes, questioning what counts as value or taste in a world driven by clicks. In Ryu’s universe, satire is both shield and mirror—reflecting the wild logic of a society where profit and performance are never far apart. #KoreanArt #DigitalSatire #ContemporaryArt #Culture