I got into Kingdom Hearts around 2018 when I was about 16 or so and the Smash 5 hype train was in full swing with people talking about Sora for Smash.
I said “You know what? I just got this PS4 so I may as well see what all the hype is about.”
Changed my life and never once thought it was corny. It also made me a JRPG fan alongside Persona 5. I’m proof you didnt have to grow up with it in the 00s like you claim in order to enjoy it