Each month The Kraze is spotlighting individuals and groups in the K-Pop/Hallyu Community. For July’s Community Highlight we are featuring Reiner from the channel KPOPAMOO! Reiner is a K-Pop YouTuber based out of Southern California, known for his K-Pop DIY videos, music video reactions, and unboxing videos. Reiner currently has over 41,000 subscribers to his channel, becoming a rising K-Pop YouTuber within the past couple of years. The Kraze had the opportunity to talk with Reiner in an exclusive interview about K-Pop and his channel!

Q1: When did you become a K-Pop fan?
A: I got into K-Pop in the year 2009, and it started with the girl group Girls’ Generation (and they’re making a comeback, which I’m excited for). It is thanks to them that I got into K-Pop!

Q2: How did you come to be a K-Pop YouTuber? How did KPOPAMOO start?
A: Prior to KPOPAMOO, there was High Off K-Pop, and it was a channel that my best friend Ariana and I started, and she had asked me if I wanted to do music video reactions with her. So I thought, “Yeah, why not?” From then on, KPOPAMOO happened!

Q3: What has been your most memorable moment in K-Pop thus far (events, concerts, etc.)?
A: It would be getting the chance to meet some of my subscribers in person, especially [at]  K-Pop concerts. Some people come up to me and are like, “I watch your YouTube videos!” or “Can I take a picture with you?” and it’s just a really great feeling to get the chance to meet them.

Q4: Your DIY videos are some of your most popular videos on your channel. What made you decide to keep doing DIYs?
A: Definitely a lot of people want to make K-Pop merchandise that is very cheap, so I thought, “Why don’t I help [you guys] with that?” I really like being crafty as well, so why not?

Q5: How do you stay inspired and come up with new ideas for your DIYs?
A: I definitely look up to other YouTubers as well, like LaurDIY. She definitely gave me inspiration to start DIYs. I don’t really see many K-Pop-inspired DIYs out there, so I wanted to try it out, and I’m really happy with what I’ve been doing lately!

Q6: Which of your DIYs do you think are the most popular amongst your subscribers? As in, seeing your subscribers recreate some of your DIY projects and sharing them with you.
A: It would have to be my back-to-school DIYs. A lot of people look forward to back-to-school DIYs because they want to deck out for the new year!

Q7: You mentioned this briefly earlier, but how does it feel when you see so many of your followers and subscribers making things from your DIY tutorials?
A: It makes me happy because it makes me feel like my hard work has paid off and that someone has actually tried out my DIYs. It’s a great feeling.

Q8: You haven't been on YouTube for that long, but you have garnered quite a big following. How does it feel when you get to meet and talk with your followers/subscribers?
A: When I first started out on YouTube I encountered some fans and it was kind of awkward [at first], but [even] after garnering more subscribers, I [still] try to be more social and try to get to know them more. I want to be myself for my subscribers/followers.

Q9: K-Pop related or not, who are your current favorite YouTubers? Who are you currently watching, and who do you want to recommend to readers?
A: Aside from K-Pop, I do like to watch vlogs and I do like to watch Weylie from the channel ilikeweylie. She does vlogs with her boyfriend Wah, so WahlieTV. I also watch the QQ twins (Qjin and Qwon from Q2Han). They are Korean twins who do makeup and fashion videos, which I love so much. I also watch Shane Dawson and Wong Fu Productions. For K-Pop YouTubers, I watch Jay (known as simplyjbaby), KSpazzing, who does music video reactions, and I also watch Megan Bowen (ChoNunMigookSaram).

Q10:  Do you have any future plans for you channel that we should all be looking forward to?
A: In the next few weeks I will be uploading my first back-to-school DIY, which I’m pretty excited about. I have a collaboration video with Jay (simplyjbaby) as well, and more challenge videos, too!

Q11: Lastly, are there any other things you would like to tell readers of The Kraze about you, or is there anything about your channel that you would like to share?
A: Definitely, if you haven’t checked out my channel already, go ahead and do so. You won’t regret it! I do a lot of DIYs that are very cheap and very affordable, so please check those out. I’m a very interesting person, and I guess you could say I’m funny. Some people say that, [so] definitely check me out!

LIGHTNING ROUND!

Q: Name your current favorite song in K-Pop.
A: “Nayana” from Produce 101 Season 2

Q: Name a K-Drama that you are currently watching or looking forward to watching.
A: The Bride of the Water God (Habaek)

Q: If you could pick any K-Pop idol’s style to have in your closet, who would it be?
A: Jin from BTS

Q: If you could be best friends with any K-Pop idol, who would it be?
A: Wonwoo from SEVENTEEN

Q: If you could collaborate with any K-Pop idol for a DIY, who would it be and what would you do?
A: The first person who comes to mind [is] Jungkook from BTS, and I would like to do a room decor DIY.

A very special and big thank you to Reiner from the channel KPOPAMOO for doing this special and exclusive interview with The Kraze! Make sure to check him out on all his social media, and if you haven’t already, subscribe to his channel!

YouTube Channel: KPOPAMOO
Instagram: @reinde.er
Twitter: @jungreeei
Snapchat: @reindeerluhan