Criticism of "Distorted BJ Culture" Following Imvely Death News
Racing model-turned-YouTuber Lim Ji-hye (37, stage name Imbly), who made an extreme choice during a broadcast, has passed away, sparking criticism of the broadcast concept she was involved in just before the incident.
On the 11th, Lim reportedly engaged in a drinking broadcast with other internet broadcasters during a live stream and got into a dispute with other BJs (internet broadcast hosts). Above all, the broadcast concept itself encouraged provocative competition among BJs, leading to criticism that it pushed one person to death.
On the 11th, a drinking party gathering of the Bucheon BJ Union 'Jeongsinbyeongz,' including Imvely, took place (Photo source: YouTube channel 'Bucheon Ppeokkugi').
This broadcast, known as the so-called 'Bucheon Hell Party,' adopted a format that provoked intense competition among BJs to draw viewer donations. The rule was that if a viewer participating in the broadcast donated 50,000 won, the BJ had to drink alcohol. The BJ who received the most donations gained a higher rank within the broadcast.
At the time, the person who received the most donations, referred to as A, used malicious comments against Lim based on the donation ranking to gradually provoke her. A shamelessly made excessive remarks toward Lim, who was crying, saying things like "Cry facing the wall, you’re unlucky," and "Don’t sell your child." These remarks continued repeatedly, escalating the conflict between the two. However, B, the organizer of the broadcast, effectively neglected the situation.
The other broadcasters present were no different. They only demanded donations for themselves and were negligent in mediating the conflict between the two. Depending on the public opinion in the broadcast comment section, they scolded or reproached Lim. Some even engaged in physical contact or remarks that could be considered sexual harassment.
Most of the BJs who participated in this drinking broadcast were internet broadcasters who had been active on the streaming platform AfreecaTV but were permanently banned due to causing problems and then continued broadcasting on platforms like YouTube. They transformed a previously popular broadcast format on AfreecaTV called 'Excel Broadcast' into a more provocative drinking broadcast to attract viewers.
'Excel Broadcast' that pits BJs against each other for donations... rampant sexual slurs and profanity
Mr. Lim debuted in 2005 with the film Pasongsong Gyelantak and began working as a racing model in 2006. He stopped modeling in 2014 after getting married, divorced in 2018, and then worked as an internet broadcaster. [Photo by Imvely Instagram]
The term 'Excel Broadcast' comes from the idea of listing BJs’ names as if organizing them in an Excel sheet. A famous BJ invites several guest BJs, and the donation rankings they receive are displayed on the screen to encourage competition. BJs perform missions suggested by viewers while receiving donations. The organizer distributes the revenue to guest BJs based on their contribution after the broadcast.
Because provocative competition takes place during the broadcast, the scale of donations is known to be very large. Such broadcasts that induce donations through provocative competition have been consistently criticized as a harmful aspect of internet broadcasting.
As such, netizens are strongly criticizing the excessive behavior on the internet aimed at attracting attention and donations. Some netizens responded on online communities, saying, "BJs who provoke conflicts and increase donations by insulting more should reflect on themselves."
There are also calls for legal action against excessive criticism and boundary-crossing broadcast behaviors toward others. One netizen left a comment on a YouTube video saying, "Those who induce donations through broadcasts filled with sexual slurs and verbal abuse should be strongly punished institutionally this time."
Meanwhile, the Nambu Police Station in Namyangju plans to summon the BJs who conducted the drinking broadcast with Lim to investigate the circumstances of her death. Allegations of sexual harassment that occurred during the drinking broadcast are also under investigation. Additionally, criminal charges such as aiding suicide and defamation against other female BJs raised online are being reviewed.
Lim debuted in 2005 with the film 'Paseongsong Gyelantak' and worked as a racing model from 2006. She stopped modeling after getting married in 2014, divorced in 2018, and then worked as an internet broadcaster.
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