Professor Turns to Live Streaming After Class Cancellations due to MERS

Although he only has about 70 students in his class, the online lecture on June 8 drew 540 viewers. (image: Afreeca TV)

SUWON, Jun. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — A university lecturer conducted his class through internet broadcasting service Afreeca TV after Suwon University shut down classes for five days as part of its measures to prevent the spread of the MERS virus.

As six students and a professor at the university were confirmed to have participated in a field study at a MERS-affected hospital in Pyeongtaek for about a week, Suwon University decided to cancel all of its classes for five days from June 8.

Kim Seong-Su, who teaches a Critiques on Broadcasting Culture class, decided to give a lecture over the Internet after his students responded positively to the idea.

Although he only has about 70 students in his class, the online lecture on June 8 drew 540 viewers. He said that students from other schools near Suwon University also participated in the class.

Some of the students shared screen captures of their teacher on Afreeca TV with SNS users, making Kim quite popular.

Upon speculation that he might have earned extra money by receiving cash points from his audience, Kim said that he only received about 6,000 won (US$ 5.3), and that his lecture was one-time only.

Afreeca TV has a compensation system where viewers fund ‘broadcasters’ through cash point donations.

By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)