Can government be cool? South Korea’s local officials think so

Across the nation, local governments and state-owned firms are hopping on the quirky video bandwagon, crafting lighthearted and unconventional content to connect with new audiences. - SCREENGRAB FROM KORAIL/YOUTUBE

SEOUL: Who says government institutions are boring? In South Korea, the typically not-so-interesting image of state-run organisations and local governments is getting a glow-up, thanks to a growing wave of meme-worthy content that they create.

Take Korail, the national railway operator. In a video on its YouTube channel, a real-life KTX train driver waltzes down the aisle of the new KTX Cheongryong train. Dressed in her uniform, she delivered a quirky dance to Shooting Stars by Bag Raiders. The clip has since gone viral, racking up over 3.2 million views and 68,000 likes.