SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) — “I have to go prepare for Sunday service now, so we’ll wrap up today’s stream here. Thank you for watching.”
With that, a 2D avatar known as “Pastor Kim” waves goodbye. The chat window erupts in emojis, hearts and rapid-fire comments. Viewers type “Amen,” “LOL” and “See you next time” in the same breath.
Welcome to South Korea’s newest religious frontier: virtual YouTube.
Far from pulpits and pews, young clergy members are turning to avatars, livestreams and gaming culture to reach a generation that has largely drifted away from organized religion.
“Praise Jesus. Please take good care of us. Namu Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara,” Pastor Kim says in a closing line, blending Christian and Buddhist expressions in a playful sign-off.
The message is clear: faith, rebranded for the algorithm age.
One of the earliest was “Illegal Monk,” who began streaming in July last year on Naver’s CHZZK and YouTube. Presenting himself as a monk born in 1994 from the fictional “Uimon Temple of Chizik Mountain,” he mixes Buddhist teachings with internet humor.
His debut broadcast drew attention when he performed Cheondojae — a traditional Buddhist ritual for the dead — for the fictional “Saja Boys,” characters inspired by Korea’s grim reapers in the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. His channel now has about 65,000 subscribers.
In November 2025 came “Pastor Kim,” followed in January this year by “Father Leon,” a Catholic VTuber.
They represent different faiths, but share a common mission: speaking to young people in the language of K-pop, webtoons, games and livestream culture.
“I keep saying I should go to church but never do — so it’s a miracle that Father shows up in my algorithm,” one follower wrote.
Their digital outreach reflects a deeper problem.
According to Hankook Research, 51 percent of respondents in its January–November 2025 survey said they had no religion. Only 20 percent identified as Protestant, 16 percent as Buddhist and 11 percent as Catholic.
Among those aged 18 to 29, nearly 69 percent said they had no religion.
Long-term data from Gallup Korea shows the shift clearly. In 2004, about 45 percent of Koreans in their 20s said they were religious. Today, that figure has fallen to the low 20 percent range.
Religion, once a major social anchor, is losing ground among younger generations.
“Korea is becoming polarized in belief,” said Jung Jong-hyun, a sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan University. “Those who are religious tend to be very active, while those without religion are largely indifferent. This divide is growing.”
At stake, he added, is institutional survival.
Behind the animated characters are real religious figures.
Illegal Monk is an ordained monk of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Father Leon belongs to the Catholic virtual creator group “Holy Live.” Pastor Kim is an ordained minister of the Korea Nazarene Church.
All keep their personal identities private, but operate within their respective institutions.
They also share a surprising degree of collaboration.
When Father Leon introduced his new character design, he joked, “Some of you might recognize the illustration style. The same artist worked on Illegal Monk. I guess that makes us brothers. VTubers are bringing religious unity.”
Different traditions, same digital universe.
Their content follows familiar online formulas.
They read chat messages in real time. They joke with viewers. They reference memes and games. They react to trending videos. In between, they insert short sermons, prayers or reflections.
Religion is no longer delivered in long lectures. It comes in clips, comments and casual conversation.
Illegal Monk says he wants to make Buddhism feel less intimidating. Father Leon aims to lower psychological barriers to church. Pastor Kim believes the Gospel must go where young people already gather — including online subcultures.
Instead of asking youth to return to institutions, they are meeting them on their phones.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
![[K-Tech] Krafton brings real-time AI to its virtual world at Gamescom 2025](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2025/08/21/20250821094933774746_278_163.jpg)
