When discussing content creators who frequently cover football matches, several well-known names come to mind. Ellis Platten and Ben Gibbs of AwayDays are among the most recognizable, alongside creators like Thogden, Fusion Josh, Footy Adventures, and StuntPegg. But then there’s Jeong Yu-mi… wait, who’s Jeong Yu-mi?
If you haven’t heard of Jeong Yu-mi, you’re not alone—I only came across her football-related content a few days ago. She’s far better known as an actress in her native South Korea, with notable roles in Rooftop Prince (2012), Partners for Justice (2018, 2019), and more recently, Queen Woo (2024). Her performances have even earned her several accolades in the television industry.
But on YouTube, Yu-mi’s a whole different personality altogether.
Yu-mi launched her YouTube channel last year, sharing a variety of football-related content—from discussing her favorite team, Manchester City, to vlogging her groundhopping experiences across K League 1 and K League 2 stadiums. She named her channel “Not That Yumi”, a playful nod to how people often mistake her for Train to Busan star Jung Yu-mi.
While her videos don’t have English subtitles—her primary audience being South Korean—football is a universal language. Her passion for the game shines through in every match she attends, making her enthusiasm easy to appreciate regardless of the language barrier.
Last season, Yu-mi attended matches at various K League stadiums, including FC Seoul, Incheon United, Suwon FC, Pohang Steelers, Ulsan HD, Daegu FC, and her hometown team, Busan IPark. She also visited Daejeon Hana Citizen, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Gwangju FC, Gyeongnam FC, Chungnam Asan, Ansan Greeners, and Cheonan City. In addition to club matches, she covered a few South Korea national team games and the K League All-Stars’ showdown against Son Heung-min’s Tottenham Hotspur.
This season, Yu-mi continues to bring fans more of the same engaging content, with matchday vlogs from both Gwangju and FC Anyang. She’s even taken her passion a step further—acting as a mascot for Gwangju.
While matchday vloggers are sometimes criticized for taking tickets and seats from local fans—Thogden’s controversies come to mind—there’s no denying that they play a role in bringing the matchday experience to a global audience. Through their content, fans from around the world can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of various leagues and competitions, not just the major ones, regardless of where they are.
Despite the lack of English subtitles, Yu-mi’s channel plays a role in introducing the K League to a wider audience—through the lens of a well-known celebrity, no less. It’s akin to Gordon Ramsay vlogging about Chelsea matches or the Gallagher brothers creating YouTube content about Manchester City.
Football and celebrity culture have become increasingly intertwined in recent years. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover of Wrexham brought global attention to the once little-known Welsh club, while renowned author John Green has passionately advocated for AFC Wimbledon, introducing the club to fans worldwide.
Yu-mi’s foray into football content is yet another example of how the sport transcends boundaries, bridging the gap between entertainment and fandom. Whether through Hollywood-backed club ownership, celebrity endorsements, or passionate matchday vlogs, football continues to find new ways to reach audiences far beyond the pitch. And while Jeong Yu-mi may not have set out to be a football influencer, her love for the game—and the unique perspective she brings—has made her an unexpected yet welcome addition to the ever-growing community of football storytellers.