Former Employee A's Long Comment on Kang Hyung-wook's YouTube
Controversy has arisen as former employees of the company operated by 'Dog President' trainer Kang Hyeong-wook have raised allegations of workplace harassment, and additional revelations from former staff have appeared in the comments on Kang’s YouTube channel.
On the 20th, a comment was posted on the most recent video of the YouTube channel 'Kang Hyeong-wook’s Bodeum TV' by a netizen A, who claimed to be a former employee of Kang’s company 'Bodeum Company.' A posted an image of the National Health Insurance qualification statement to verify their employment at Bodeum Company and wrote a lengthy comment mainly rebutting the public criticism directed at former employees after the controversy surfaced.
A first claimed, "The CEO exploited both men and women, but treated men more carelessly," adding, "Female employees were treated with some discretion, but male employees were like 'servants,' which seems an appropriate expression." They continued, "There were many worse things, such as making excessive errands on days off, ordering hard labor in heatwaves or heavy snow, humiliating in front of guardians, and insulting personal dignity, but I will endure it because I don’t want to ruin the CEO."
They revealed, "The reason many victims are men but remain silent is because they are mostly trainers working in the same industry and fear retaliation." They added, "My heart is pounding even as I write this. Those who have not experienced it firsthand cannot even begin to guess, so please do not speak carelessly."
A speculated on the reason for the employees’ revelations, saying, "The CEO has always been like this since the early days, but it has gotten worse recently, and it seems to have surfaced as the business is about to close." They also claimed, "The resignation letters include various confidentiality clauses warning of civil and criminal liability, which scares employees as they enter society."
Regarding public questions about why they did not report to the Labor Office, A said, "There was a case where a former employee reported wage issues to the Labor Office, but one of the executives who answered the call shouted insults mixed with the employee’s name in front of other staff," adding, "After that, many employees became scared."
In response to comments saying, "Leaving exposing reviews on Job Planet is not the duty of former employees," A said, "When you are being harassed by an authority figure who controls your livelihood, trembling and being exposed is all you can do. The public does not believe it because of the created image." They continued, "If I wanted to ruin the CEO, I would have posted on a famous community. The reason I wrote on Job Planet was to protect future victims who might join."
Additionally, A wrote, "Have you ever received six Spam cans wrapped in a poop bag as a holiday gift? It was humiliating," and "The CEO was rude to everyone. I was surprised that even employees in their 50s and 60s were treated no differently."
Finally, A addressed Kang Hyeong-wook, saying, "If you apologize, everyone will move on. We all spent time working hard for the company. I don’t want your family to fall apart either. It’s not difficult. Apologize."
Recently, former employees of 'Bodeum Company,' where trainer Kang Hyeong-wook is CEO, made exposing claims through reviews on the recruitment platform Job Planet, alleging workplace harassment such as personal insults by Kang and other company executives. In response, netizens have demanded explanations through comments on Kang’s YouTube and Instagram, but Kang has yet to issue a statement.
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