NewJeansNim: The world's coolest monk

A Buddhist monk taking over the DJ booth at a concert, spinning EDM tracks while blending in Buddhist verses. Meet Youn Sung Ho, better known by his stage name, NewJeansNim (a clever twist on the Korean word for monk). 

 

Despite the flashy title of "EDM Monk" or "DJ Monk," Youn isn't actually a Buddhist monk. But he is a practicing Buddhist who happens to moonlight as a DJ comedian. His blend of electronic beats and Buddhist chants has earned him fame, especially after his viral tour stop in Taiwan where tickets sold out faster than you can say "enlightenment."

 

Following his Taiwan show, Youn took his act to Malaysia and Hong Kong, with upcoming gigs in Macau and Singapore. However, his unconventional approach hasn't always been well-received. In Malaysia, a lawmaker criticized him for supposedly misrepresenting Buddhist values, leading to the cancellation of his second show. Despite this, Youn's Singapore performance is still on, albeit with assurances that it'll be a "nonreligious" affair – sans robes and sacrilege.