Choo Sung-hoon and Swings take on Japan's 'shoulder bump' trend in Shibuya

Choo Sung-hoon and rapper Swings ventured into the bustling streets of Shibuya, Japan, to address a rising concern: the phenomenon of 'shoulder bumps.' On August 27, Choo released a video on his YouTube channel, titled Shibuya Interception Duo (feat. My Bigger Brother Swings), detailing their mission to confront individuals engaging in this socially troubling behavior.

In the video, Choo sported a Chanel outfit paired with a punch perm hairstyle, a style reminiscent of notorious Japanese delinquents from past decades. He humorously remarked, "This is a hairstyle I wanted for a long time, but my father didn’t approve. Now that he is gone, I can finally do what I want." This cheeky comment set a lighter tone as they embarked on their quest.

As they traversed the vibrant streets of Shibuya, Choo expressed his frustration over the 'shoulder bump' incidents he had witnessed. The practice, known in Japan as butsukari (ぶつかり), involves intentionally colliding with strangers, primarily targeting vulnerable individuals, such as women and the elderly. This behavior has sparked significant social concern.

Choo said, "I've heard that many young people in the city are 'bumping shoulders,' and I can't help but feel irritated when I see it in videos. So, Swings and I are going to catch those friends who do that." However, despite their enthusiastic search around the busy Shibuya Scramble Crossing, they found it challenging to locate anyone actually participating in the act. "It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be," Choo lamented.

Swings added humorously, "It's like when a shark appears; all the fish scatter away," highlighting the irony of their mission.

Swings further criticized the phenomenon, questioning how such a childish culture could find traction in society. "When I first heard it on the news, I was baffled. Are they declaring a form of terrorism over this? The fact that it has become a trend is alarming and reflects a lot of societal dissatisfaction," he stated.

Each time they patrolled the streets, they struggled to find anyone indulging in the 'shoulder bump' behavior. Reflecting on their efforts, Choo expressed disappointment, saying, "It would have been great if someone had confronted us, but with our presence, they likely wouldn’t dare."

The unexpected excursion drew reactions from netizens, with comments like, "If they want to catch someone doing a shoulder bump, they should hide and send in other influencers like DinDin or Mad Clown first," and "Who would dare shoulder bump those two? They look like a formidable pair of yakuza leaders."

The unfolding saga not only entertained viewers but sparked discussions around a growing social issue, illustrating the intersection of humor and serious matters in celebrity-led initiatives.