CodeMiko | |
|---|---|
 Kang's VTuber avatar CodeMiko | |
| Born | Youna Kang[2] (1990-02-27)27 February 1990 (age 35) |
| Other names |
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| Occupations | |
| Organization | Team Envy[3] |
| Twitch information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Genres |
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| Games | |
| Followers | 915 thousand[1] |
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Genres |
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| Subscribers | 677 thousand |
| Views | 215.36 million |
| Last updated: 14 October 2024 | |
Youna Kang[4][5] (born 27 February 1990), better known by her online3DVirtual YouTuber personaCodeMiko and aliasThe Technician, is aSouth Korean-AmericanTwitchstreamer andYouTuber. Kang is best known for her live streams on Twitch, for interviewing other streamers, content creators, and internet personalities as her alter ego persona CodeMiko,[6] and for pushing the envelope with regard to interactivity in VTuber technology.[7]
Kang created the CodeMiko persona usingUnreal Engine, amotion capturesuit fromXsens,motion capture gloves from Manus VR, and afacial tracking helmet from MOCAP Design.[a][b][7] The CodeMikoavatar is composed of 36,000polygons, modeled inAutodesk Maya, and textured usingAdobe Substance.While Kang originally created CodeMiko alone, the project is now being developed by a team consisting of anengineer, anartist /animator /rigger,[8] apublicist, apersonal assistant, and amanager.[9]
Kang now focuses on leading the development effort onbroadcasting andidea generation. Kang is focused not just on broadcasting but rather on introducing new standards ofinteractivity with her audience.[8] CodeMiko's virtual environment is designed to bequasi-interactive, meaning that viewers can influence and modify the CodeMiko avatar and surroundings by engaging in live stream chat or by donating money.[7]
Kang came up with the idea of CodeMiko while working atNickelodeon.[8] After being laid off due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,[9] she decided to pursue streaming full-time.[8] Early on, she made around $300 per month from Twitch, which could not cover rent.[8] This move was quite risky considering that Kang went into debt to acquire the Xsens Mo-cap suit,[10] in total, she accumulated over $20,000 in debt in order to get the setup she needed. She has attributed her success to this debt and her poor risk management.[10][9] Kang states that, since CodeMiko project has been a success, she can now afford a comfortable living.[9]
Kang had her streaming breakthrough in 2021. She has attributed her sudden rise in popularity due to having a viral tweet onTwitter[11] and going viral on r/LiveStreamFails onReddit.[10]
The CodeMiko avatar'sin-universe backstory is that she is avideo game character without a game. She had always wanted to be in amainstream video game but never succeeded in doing so due to her 'Glitch' (a story arc very similar toVanellope von Schweetz from theWreck-It Ralph franchise). CodeMiko has expressed that she was forced to take smaller roles, such as a bush inThe Last of Us, following the archetypical story of the strugglingHollywood actress, someone who just wants to be in a movie, any movie, but for Miko, any video game.[10]She finally managed to find her way into Kang / The Technicians Unreal Engine project, thus becoming a Twitch streamer.[12] She is currently roaming different game worlds, looking for a place she will fit in. So far, she has visited the world of deadmemes andThe Sims.
The CodeMiko avatar is aware of the Technician and frequently breaks theFourth Wall, both indirectly through cross-over interviews such as CodeMiko interviewing the Technician,[13] and directly through the use ofaugmented reality.[14]
The "glitchiness" of the CodeMiko character is expressed and explored through her sometimes glitching into herevil alter ego avatar, simply known as "Glitch", exchanging her usual pink-haired avatar for a semi-transparentMatrix digital rain-inspired avatar. The "Glitch" avatar is additionally distinguished by having a deeper and hoarser voice achieved through the use of avoice changer. Glitch is very profane and seeks to offend.
It was assumed that CodeMiko was originally released and developed under the name 'mikoglitch',[15] only to be dropped as it conflicted with 'Miko Kubota' ofGlitch Techs[citation needed] - but in a VOD,[16] Youna said, "this is not true" and explained how she created "mikoglitch" to bypass the temporary shadow ban on her "CodeMiko" channel.
The interview show has been compared to the 1990s animated parody talk showSpace Ghost Coast to Coast.[8]On CodeMiko, Kang said, "She's kind of stupid, unfiltered, and not afraid to say whatever is on her mind or what she sees."[8]
CodeMiko participated in the online amateurchess tournamentPogChamps 3 in 2021. She placed last with 4 losses and 0 wins, along with streamerMyth.[17]She was coached by PogChamps coaches,WGMAnna Rudolf[18] andAndrea Botez.[19]
Kang has described having developed "TOSPTSD" following her unintentionally breaking Twitch'sterms of service (TOS) and subsequent receiving bans,[8][20] leading to her developingeconomic anxiety and seeking help from psychiatrist and Twitch streamerAlok Kanojia on stream.[21]
Kang has expressed worries about Twitch's introduction of a "Brand Safety Score" system,[22] with regard to how her X-rated jokes and humor may not be advertiser-friendly content and thus may threaten her income potential on the platform. She has since described how her worries lessened as she came to be sponsored by several brands.[9]
The CodeMiko project has generally been positively received, withKotaku describing CodeMiko as "The Future Of Streaming"[8] andDesignboom stating that she is "Revolutionizing the digital space".[7] TheFinancial Times have reported that her content might be signalling "The next frontier of digital entertainment",[12] whileQuartz has reported CodeMiko as "The talk show host of the future".[23]The Verge has reported CodeMiko as someone who is "reshaping the Twitch landscape in her image".[10]
The project has also received interest from several producers of sexually explicit content.[12]
| Ceremony | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIGGRAPH Asia Award Winners | 2021 | Best in Show | Won | [24] |
| Streamy Awards | 2022 | BestVTuber | Won | [25] |
| The Streamer Awards | 2021 | Best VTuber Streamer | Won | [26] |
| 2023 | Best Software and Game Development Streamer | Nominated | [27] | |
| The Vtuber Awards | 2023 | Best Tech VTuber | Nominated | [28] |
