"Mom hit me, Dad just watched"
YouTubers exploiting Jeong-in's death face backlash
Criticism floods over 'Sorry Jeong-in' merchandise sales
A shaman YouTuber describing the abuse situation of Jeong-in. Photo by the respective YouTube screen capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "I was sick, and the 'beep-beep' uncles left me alone."
Amid ongoing public outrage over the so-called 'Jeong-in case,' in which a 16-month-old girl died from abuse by her adoptive parents, shaman YouTubers claiming to have had spiritual conversations with Jeong-in have recently emerged, sparking controversy.
They claim that Jeong-in's spirit entered their bodies and described the abuse situation in detail. In particular, some YouTubers have spread false information related to the Jeong-in case, drawing public ire. Citizens are raising their voices in criticism, saying it is inappropriate to exploit the tragic death of a child for profit.
Recently, a shaman YouTuber posted a video titled "Jeong-in, I'm Sorry," appearing to be possessed by Jeong-in's spirit. Speaking as if possessed by Jeong-in, he said, "I was sick, and the 'beep-beep' uncles left me alone," adding, "Dad just watched. He saw me being hit but did nothing, and Mom hit me whenever she had a chance."
This seems to be a summary of the facts regarding the police, who took no action despite multiple reports of child abuse, the adoptive mother who habitually abused Jeong-in, and the adoptive father who was complicit. After controversy arose, the YouTuber made the video private.
Another shaman YouTuber spread false information by portraying the adoptive parents' biological daughter, Jeong-in's older sister, as the perpetrator.
The shaman claimed, "I talked with Jeong-in's spirit," and said, "I was so shocked by the spiritual conversation with Jeong-in that I decided to release the video." In particular, this shaman said, "I was my sister's toy. She poked me with something sharp."
On the morning of the 13th, at Hi Family Andersen Park Cemetery in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, gifts and messages left by citizens in memory of Jeong-in, who died at 16 months old due to abuse by her adoptive parents, are placed. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Citizens criticized this, pointing out that the tragic death of Jeong-in is being used to increase YouTube views and subscribers, and condemned the exploitation of a child who lost her life to abuse as a "means of making money."
Office worker Kim (27) said, "It is so sad that the child's suffering is just being used as a 'means of making money,'" adding, "Do we really have to make money from such a tragic event? It is wrong to profit by using the name of a child who never received proper love during her 16 months."
Netizens also expressed strong reactions such as, "Isn't it wrong to use a child who lived a short life as a means of making money?", "Enough already," and "Please don't kill the poor child twice."
As criticism poured in, some shaman YouTubers made their videos private or disabled comments.
Previously, some social media users also drew public outrage by promoting their shopping malls and stores through the '#Jeong-in, I'm Sorry' challenge, which was meant to commemorate Jeong-in.
They used hashtags like '#Jeong-in, I'm Sorry,' '#We Will Change,' and '#Please Join,' while including store addresses, food photos, and phone numbers, which caused public disapproval.
On the 5th, a post selling products with the phrase "Jeongin, I'm sorry" was uploaded on Instagram. After controversy arose, all the posts were deleted. Photo by Online Community Capture
In particular, on the 5th, a calligraphy artist faced public backlash for selling various products such as clothing, eco-bags, cushions, and phone cases with the phrase 'Jeong-in, I'm Sorry' on an online shopping mall. The artist promoted the products with hashtags like '#Jeong-in, I'm Sorry' and '#Jeong-in, I'm Sorry Challenge.'
When controversy arose, the artist apologized, saying, "I simply made the products to let many people know about the 'Jeong-in, I'm Sorry' challenge," and "I realized my thoughtlessness after receiving much criticism." However, even while posting the apology, the artist left multiple hashtags promoting themselves, such as 'calligraphy' and 'emotional phrases,' which further angered the public.
Given the situation, citizens criticized the act of exploiting Jeong-in's death from abuse as an excessive commercial tactic.
University student Jung (25) said, "I don't understand why so many people try to profit from a child's life," adding, "Using a heartbreaking story for marketing itself is incomprehensible, and exploiting Jeong-in for personal gain is like killing the child twice."
He continued, "It's absurd that such things happen when adults should be working together to prevent child abuse from recurring," and "I hope the child can rest peacefully."
Meanwhile, on the previous day (the 13th), the prosecution, during the first trial of the adoptive mother Jang at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Chief Judge Shin Hyukjae), amended the indictment and added a murder charge against Jang for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse resulting in death). The main charge included murder, with child abuse resulting in death as an alternative charge.
It was reported that Jang denied both the murder and child abuse resulting in death charges. Jang's lawyer stated, "There was no intention to cause the victim's death," denying the murder and child abuse resulting in death charges.
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