Death on the 13th, Cause Not Disclosed
Woo Hyung-cheol (59), known as 'Sapjaru,' who was once famous as an online entrance exam instructor, passed away on the 13th. In the past, he had exposed that the internet lecture industry was manipulating comments for self-promotion and disparaging competitors. The cause of death has not been disclosed according to the family's wishes.
Woo, a graduate of Seoul National University College of Engineering, began his teaching career in 1995 by founding Namgang Academy. He became well-known through Vita Edu, Etoos Education (Etoos), and EBS, establishing himself as a leading math instructor around the 2010s.
Among students, Woo was popular for his distinctive rough-spoken style. True to his nickname 'Sapjaru,' his somewhat aggressive yet unexpected remarks became so-called 'famous quotes' shared among students preparing for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).
After news of Woo's death spread, netizens who studied for the CSAT by attending his lectures expressed shock. On social media (SNS), condolences poured in with comments such as "He was the one responsible for my math scores," "I will never forget how he used to hold the Sapjaru during his lectures," "If it weren't for Sapjaru, I couldn't have escaped being a math dropout," and "It feels like just yesterday I was holding my mental together while listening to Sapjaru's lectures, I can't believe he has passed."
In addition, in 2017, Woo exposed that Etoos Education (Etoos), the online lecture company he belonged to, had hired comment workers to write posts disparaging competing academies or instructors and manipulated search rankings.
At that time, he reported that such practices were common in the entrance exam academy industry and joined forces with other instructors opposing comment manipulation to form the 'Clean Online Lecture Council.'
As a result of Woo's exposure, in 2021, the Supreme Court confirmed a sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with a 2-year probation for Kim Hyung-jung, CEO of Etoos, who was prosecuted for obstruction of business and violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation). Jung, the head of Etoos's online business division, who was also tried alongside Kim, received a confirmed prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months.
Woo's funeral was held at Severance Hospital Sinchon Funeral Hall, Room 17. The funeral procession is scheduled for midnight on the 15th.
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