After attending KCON, a convention held by MNET, I got the chance to meet a couple of wonderful people who were actually creators in the KPOP world. Before meeting any of them, I had no clue who they were. But after getting the chance to meet them during the convention, I actually got the chance to know some of them a bit better. I was lucky enough to get the chance to interview Bryan Hernandez or, by his username, Sal-V, a YouTube creator who does covers of Korean songs and also writes his own songs. I asked him some questions for those who are inspired and want to do music or have the passion in becoming a YouTube creator.
What do you do on YouTube?
Bryan: I upload musical content targeted to Korean music fans.
So what made you want to become a YouTube creator?
Bryan: Well I was listening to Boa’s single, "The Shadow," and I got the idea to look for an English version and ran into a cover artist named YABISI. She covered Boa’s song "Not Over You," and it was amazing so I wanted to try my hand at it and began in January of 2013.
What has becoming a creator for YouTube helped you in?
Bryan: It helped me meet a lot of good friends, it has helped me reach a bigger audience that I never saw possible and help me connect with people of the same interest in other states and countries.
As a YouTube creator, it looks easy in the front, but in the back it must be really difficult. What kind of hardships must you go through as a YouTube creator?
Bryan: Well as for me, it’s hard putting together content at a high caliber. For example, I spent 50 hours on recording, writing and mixing for a cover. What really made it hard on me was when we released it to the world. The response was surprisingly much smaller than the usual and the expected. So sometimes it’s frustrating putting that much work into the audio for a cover and not getting the proper recognition. Imagine that though, 50 hours just for the audio, video aside.
Wow, making YouTube creations can be tough. But for one who writes songs, it’s hard enough. And with all these struggles there must be something that keeps you moving, motivated, and continuing as much as you can. What are those aspirations and goals that help you have a positive outlook when producing music?
Bryan: Personally, music is the reason I’m in the position I am now; for the good reasons and bad. Music helped me block out the negativity in my life, it helped me focus on something but I also dropped out of school for music and I’ve quit many things for music. So what drives me is, I can't quit. I’ve spent too much of my life on it -- 11 years. I like doing it but it also becomes a burden -- if I quit now, and what would I be quitting? I’d be quitting the dream to live off making music.
Thank you for that. And last question; there are so many people who want to become YouTube creators. They think that YouTube is a way for them to put out their passion and share to the world what they feel they are confident in. What advice do you give to those whose dreams are to become the next YouTube star?
Bryan: Work hard, never stop learning, be humble and teachable and know your value. Know what you have to sacrifice. Anything is possible but you have to truly want it and truly believe what you’re doing is for a better future.
So, all in all, YouTube may seem like a fun activity to do, but in reality it’s really hard. Recording, editing, publishing the video, there’s more to it than it looks. And don’t let this article stop you from that passion of yours. Everyone who became huge also had to go through their struggles as well. It may be different for every person, but when it comes down to the end, it’s still a struggle that everyone has to face. Michelle Phan, before hitting her millions of followers and becoming a makeup guru and entrepreneur, started with publishing makeup videos and through her hard work and patience, she too gained those followers.
Superwoman, who is now on a tour for her recent movie, "A Trip to Unicorn Island," also had to make some sacrifices to be where she is today. Doing YouTube is hard, but whatever you do, do it because you want to. Do it because you want to do it for you. Do it because you want to entertain, or teach, or show the world your talent. Do it to prove to everyone who denied you, you can do it. Because it’s your life and with hard work and a lot of focus, you too will get to where your all-time favorite YouTubers are.
If you'd like to see more of what Bryan does, here's the link that leads you to his wonderful talented channel!
