YouTubers Demanding Money Using YouTuber 'Jjuyang's Past as Pretext
Prosecutors Assign 'Jingukjin', 'Caracula', 'Gujeyeok' to Investigation Division
Gaseyeon Releases Recording... "This Should Get at Least 200 Million Won"
The prosecution has launched an investigation into YouTubers who threatened to expose the past history of mukbang YouTuber Jjuyang, who has 10 million subscribers.
On the 11th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had assigned the case involving three YouTubers suspected of threatening or participating in threatening Jjuyang?'Jeongukjin', 'Gujeyeok', and 'Karacula'?to the Criminal Division 3. They each operate the YouTube channels 'Jujak Gambyeolsa', 'Gujeyeok', and 'Karacula Media', respectively. The investigation began after a citizen filed a complaint requesting punishment for the YouTubers suspected of threatening Jjuyang or participating in such threats on charges of extortion.
This case surfaced on the 10th when the YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon)' released recorded conversations between Gujeyeok, Karacula, and other 'cyber rekkas' (people who profit by publicizing others' misfortunes or scandals). The released recordings included conversations such as "If we blow this up, Jjuyang will have to retire," "Jjuyang used to work at OO in the past," "Wouldn't it be better to just take a few thousand straightforwardly?" "We should get at least 200 million won for this," and "I'm meeting Jjuyang's agency. They treat her well with lots of delicious food and give her a good allowance."
In response, in the early hours of the 11th, Jjuyang revealed on her YouTube channel that she had been subjected to continuous assault and threats for four years by her former boyfriend, agency representative Mr. A, and disclosed that she was forced to work at entertainment establishments under his coercion. She also revealed that she had filed a criminal complaint against Mr. A for habitual assault, habitual threats, extortion, coercion, and violations of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, including claims for settlement payments, contract termination, and trademark opposition related to an unfair contract with him. However, the case was closed as 'no prosecution' after Mr. A took an extreme action.
The YouTuber Karacula, mentioned in the recordings, posted on his YouTube community that "As a YouTuber, I have never accepted illicit money from anyone," denying the allegations. YouTuber Gujeyeok also expressed confidence, stating, "I swear to the heavens I have done nothing shameful," and "As always, if it goes to the end, I will win."
The prosecution is reportedly conducting a broad investigation into whether, as mentioned in the audio recordings released through Gaseyeon, there was a plan to extort hundreds of millions of won from Jjuyang by using her past as leverage, as well as the circumstances before and after the signing of contracts worth tens of millions of won.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
