Jjuyang "Ex-boyfriend assaulted and extorted for 4 years... Damage amount 4 billion won"

"Unable to Break Up Due to Video Distribution Threats"
Unpaid Settlement Amount Reaches Approximately 4 Billion Won

Mukbang (eating broadcast) YouTuber Tzuyang, who has nearly 10 million subscribers, revealed that she was assaulted and illegally filmed by her ex-boyfriend in the past. This came after the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Yeonguso (Gaseyeon)' released related audio recordings.

In the early hours of the 11th, Tzuyang conducted a live broadcast titled "I will tell everything" on her YouTube channel. The day before, Gaseyeon had released audio recordings suggesting that some YouTubers had extorted money from Tzuyang, and as the aftermath grew, Tzuyang stepped forward to clarify the situation herself.

According to Tzuyang, the incident began about four years ago during her college leave of absence when she dated her ex-boyfriend Mr. A. At that time, Mr. A showed violent behavior toward Tzuyang, and although she tried to break up, he threatened to distribute an illegally filmed video of her, so she could not end the relationship.

Mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang [Image source: Tzuyang YouTube]

Tzuyang said, "I was hit with blunt objects like umbrellas and experienced such violent incidents," adding, "He took me to his workplace and said I only had to keep him company drinking, so I briefly poured drinks while sitting. I couldn’t tell anyone about the threats, and all the money I earned from that work was taken by him."

She continued, "When I thought I couldn’t take it anymore and wanted to quit, he used violence and threatened to inform my family, so I couldn’t resist further."

Afterward, Tzuyang pursued mukbang content, which she had been interested in, and as it gained popularity, she grew enough to establish her own agency. However, most of the earnings were taken by Mr. A. She also signed an unfair contract dividing profits 7 (Mr. A) to 3 (Tzuyang).

Regarding her 2020 retirement announcement amid the so-called 'backdoor advertising' controversy, which she later reversed, she explained, "I had never received advertising revenue, but when I was criticized, I was forced to quit, and when public opinion improved, I was told to return. I really had no intention of coming back."

Tzuyang said, "I was ashamed of my past and hoped it would never be mentioned anywhere, so I couldn’t resist. My staff have known about this for two years," and explained about the audio recordings released by Gaseyeon, "Mr. A exaggerated things and extorted money from people around me, and I gave him about 200 million won."

[Image source=Jjuyang YouTube]

She added, "Recently, I couldn’t endure it anymore and asked him to leave, offering to give him all the money, but he was not satisfied," and "Threats toward my family and staff continued, and when false reports were made to other YouTubers, I proceeded with filing a lawsuit against Mr. A."

A lawyer representing Tzuyang appeared at the end of the broadcast. Attorney Kim Taeyeon from Taeyeon Law Office revealed evidence related to the case, stating, "Tzuyang suffered greatly, and there was a lot of material. She was gaslighted and was in such a helpless state that she couldn’t do anything."

She continued, "There were 3,800 voice files of threats alone. It is shocking that a celebrity suffers this much damage," and added, "The unpaid settlement amount to Tzuyang is at least 4 billion won. Although there was no intention to publicize this, the facts were unintentionally revealed on YouTube, so we decided to disclose them."

Tzuyang’s side filed civil lawsuits against Mr. A for settlement claims, exclusive contract termination, and trademark opposition, as well as criminal complaints for habitual assault, habitual threats, habitual injury, extortion, coercion, and violations of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. When Mr. A requested leniency, Tzuyang’s side withdrew the lawsuit on the condition that the case would not be mentioned, but Mr. A violated this, leading to a second complaint.

Attorney Kim said, "There were many charges against Mr. A, and we expected a sentence of more than five years in prison," but "Unfortunately, Mr. A took an extreme step, and the criminal case was closed with a 'no prosecution' decision due to lack of prosecution."

She emphasized, "I hope there will be no speculation or misunderstanding about the parties involved in this case, and that no secondary damage occurs to the bereaved families."

Tzuyang said, "Those were hellish days, but the love I received from my staff, who are like family, was very precious," and expressed her determination, "I have no intention of hiding anymore, and I will endure as long as I can."