From truck driver to TikTok star: How social media changed Satoyu's life

Pulling his tearful wife into an embrace, Satoyu hugged her tightly before stepping away.

Holding back tears of his own, he then put on his iconic sharp-edged shades, breaking into a villainous grin - the same one that he has come to be known for - as he smiled at the fans that had gathered to meet him.

That was how viral TikToker Satoyu and his wife Yomeyu reacted to the crowd at their meet-and-greet in Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Saturday (Dec 7). 

Although he may have over 8.3 million followers on TikTok now, this 30-year-old Japanese wasn't always as popular as he is today - he had humble beginnings of his own as a truck driver, he shared in an interview with AsiaOne at the SGCC TikTok booth on Saturday.

"I was a truck driver before," the 30-year-old said to AsiaOne via a translator. "Honestly, it was hard work… very hard."

Just three years ago, Satoyu used to drive a truck, ferrying steel materials in Japan.

His work schedule was never fixed - Satoyu would sometimes need to wake up at 2am to drive, ending his workday very late.

According to online Japanese publication Crank-In, the company he worked for was located in Aichi, where Toyota is located, and also where he's from.

He would drive a 12-metre truck, which he admittedly wouldn't be able to drive today.

"I don't think I could drive such a big truck [again]," he said. "I'd be scared."

Speaking with AsiaOne, he also recalled how his friends and family had reacted when he made the shift over to content creation.

His family was very supportive of his switch, Satoyu said, highlighting how his parents had been bragging about him to the people around them just two years ago.

When asked by AsiaOne if he has any regrets leaving behind the life he had led with his previous occupation, he said he had none.

"I'm very satisfied where I am now, and I'm only focused on the future."

@satoyu727 #PR #SingaporeTourismBoard #SGCC2024 ♬ オリジナル楽曲 - SATOYU(^↓^)OHIOBOSS

Becoming the villain

While he may be known for his 'Ohio Final Boss' persona and Doflamingo impression today, Satoyu had a period where he experimented with other content.

When he was younger, Satoyu enjoyed being the funny guy, joking around with his friends.

He shared with AsiaOne that he was first inspired to make posts on social media after being spurred on by his friend.

While the first ever content he made was just him eating curry, he wasn't too satisfied with it.

"I wasn't a creator at the time, I was just a beginner," Satoyu said, adding that he kept trying to improve.

Being a fan of villains and antagonists, he chanced upon a character in One Piece - Doflamingo.

One Piece is a manga by Eiichiro Oda, following the story of Luffy, a young boy aspiring to be a pirate.

Doflamingo is a particularly flamboyant antagonist in the manga, who sports sharp-edged shades and a pink feather coat.

The character himself is certainly eye-catching - as is Satoyu's impression of him.

A video in September featuring Satoyu's rendition of Doflamingo has surpassed 11 million views while another in the same month earned over 18 million.

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Satoyu is also known for his 'Ohio Final Boss' persona, in which he acts as a nigh-undefeatable character that picks fights with other content creators and fictional characters.

"I actually like to imitate many, many characters - and I likely can - and 'Ohio Boss' is just one of them," Satoyu added.

A touching moment

Towards the end of the interview with AsiaOne, a line had started forming at the booth as fans waited their chance to meet and greet Satoyu.

As AsiaOne's writer asked a final question, Satoyu's wife, Yomeyu, went behind the booth.

She later emerged with puffy, red eyes, having evidently cried.

"She is just so touched to see all the fans here," the translator smiled and said. "Back in Japan, they aren't as popular, so they were very surprised and emotional to see so many people gather today."

Satoyu was seen comforting his wife as he too also teared up.

As AsiaOne left the TikTok booth, the writer saw Satoyu breathe sharply, gathering himself.

Shades on and emotions stabilised, Satoyu commenced his Singapore fan meet.

@satoyu727 Thank you for coming! @그레빠체리 #PR #SingaporeTourismBoard #SGCC2024 ♬ オリジナル楽曲 - SATOYU(^↓^)OHIOBOSS

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khooyihang@asiaone.com