In Toronto, one man and his glasses are helping make the city a friendlier place, one bus ride at a time.
Minjae Cho, known online as Magnetic MJ, spends his days wishing strangers a great week or simply telling them they make the world a better place. Not long ago, Cho was like thousands of other Torontonians, commuting by bus and subway, going to work, and feeling lonely. Today, he’s a full-time influencer with more than 36,000 Instagram followers and recognition from city leaders, including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and the head of the Toronto Transit Commission.
“It started at a time when I was in a lonely disconnected part of my life,” Cho told CTV News Toronto. “I wanted to push myself to show up more openly in everyday life with social interactions, and to rebuild my social confidence.”
Cho records his interactions using Meta glasses, which he says feel less intrusive than a phone camera. His videos often capture moments of hesitation that turn into smiles, laughter, hugs, and sometimes tears. Viewers frequently comment that his simple words have helped them through difficult days or moments of emotional struggle.
“What I’m doing is harmless,” Cho said. “I’m just saying, ‘Have a nice day.’ I’m not pranking people. Most people see my effort and my courage and respond positively.”
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TTC drivers now recognize Cho and welcome him onboard. In a statement, TTC CEO Mandeep Lali said, “Everyone could use a little more joy in their life, including on their commute, and these posts certainly convey that sentiment.”
Mayor Olivia Chow echoed that feeling, saying that if everyone did what Cho does for just one person on one bus ride each week, Toronto would feel a lot more like a neighborhood.
Through courage, kindness, and consistency, Minjae Cho is showing that small moments of human connection can make a very big city feel a little warmer.
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