Going Viral
The video in which i have chosen to discuss about is the KangKung remix video which went viral upon being uploaded on youtube almost a month ago. Since then, this video has went viral with practically every Malaysian's knowing and talking about it in markets, colleges, malls homes and so on. Here we wil be discussing on four sub topics, the background of the video, background surrounding the issue, why it went viral and last the impacts it has on society.
Background of Video
The video was published on January13 2014 on youtube by a user called Yuri Wong Music. Since then, the video has went viral with it seeing shares on other social platforms such as facebook. To date, it currently has achieved 1,002,228 views and 11,244 likes on the video. The statistics itself proves its success as not many Malaysian made videos has ever managed to obtain statistics like this. With this, this video easily ranks as one of the highest viewed Malaysian made video in local standards. The entire video is mainly a music video with music compilation mash ups of our Prime Minister speech about the drop of 'Kangkung' water spinach prices and how the government has not been praised for this effort. From this, the maker of the video auto tune the speech and compiled it with short clips of the preparation and cooking of the dish. This turned out into a short 1 minute music video and is entitled Kangkung Remix.
Background of the Issue
The issue surrounding this whole video and what kick started it really was the series of price hikes announced by the government last year which included items such as petrol, cigarettes, sugar, public transport, toll prices and others. This increases of various items essential to the peoples daily lives and needs undoubtedly angered many sectors of the government claiming these hikes are unnecessary and due to the mishandling of funds of the government. Even before the video was published the mood of locals was already set ready to propel it to become viral. This Kangkung issue escalated when Najib made a statement saying it is unfair to the government when prices are increased and they are to be blamed but when prices like Kangkung goes down no one praises the government. This statement drew flak from netizens all over Malaysia claiming the Prime Minister was out of touch of with the people and is living in his own lavish world.
Why it became viral
The first factor which contributed to it being viral is the fact that many Malaysian's were already unplease and unhappy with the government especially with the price hike. As mentioned above, the mood of the people was already set and when a video was publish poking fun at the Prime Minister and the price hike people naturally grew attracted and interested with it. People talking, sharing, viewing and liking of the videos are but ways people express their disastisfaction with the issue and the Man behind the issue.
The second factor is due to the use of satire which is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices. Because the video was poking fun out of the kangkung issue, people found it ironic yet also very amusing and funny at the same time. It wasn't a overly serious or dramatic video but something light hearted and hilarious design to expose the humor out of the issue.
The third factor is because when the video was published it was timely to the price hike issue. If the video were to have been released later it may have not have the amount of impact it had because it was no longer timely and the issue no longer in the discussion and minds of people. Hence, the time in which it was uploaded was perfect to propel it to become viral.
Impact on society
The first notable impact is that it had propel the once humble and barely talked about vegetable into stardom with nowadays it being common whenever people discuss about price hikes or so on, Kangkung will always be uttered at least once. Its funny to think that before the video arose this vegetable was barely even talked about only limited to the dinner table and restaurants but now so common place even when it comes to politics. Moreover, it was even featured in a BBC report which clearly shows how much of a star the the vegetable has become.
Secondly, it has changed the way people viewed the vegetable. Whenever a person were to see a Kangkung vegetable, the first thing he or she would straight think about is the kangkung issue and the video. For now, kangkung is not only just a vegetable we consume, but represents a much bigger picture and issue we're facing in Malaysia today.
The last impact is basically on the politics of our country. It can't be said that the kangkung video is solely the factor to this impact but it contributed to it. This kangkung issue has bloated out into the political issue of our country. Example not too long ago PKR Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon held a flash mob ridiculing Najib and feeding him none other than kangkung itself. No one would have really expected a humble vegetable coming into the political arena of our country.
To sum it up, here in the bottom is the video that went viral.
