'Backdoor Advertising Controversy' at the Time: Tzuyang and Cham PD's Explanation Broadcast
"Tzuyang's Backdoor Advertising is True... Ex-Boyfriend Received the Ads"
"Cham PD Explained Due to Mention of Extreme Choices"
Cham PD Endured Malicious Comments and Threats for 4 Years... "I'm Just Glad to Be Alive"
YouTuber Hong Sound revealed the full story behind the 'Tzuyang Backdoor Advertising Exposure Incident,' bringing the 'backdoor advertising controversy' that erupted among mukbang YouTubers in 2021 back to the surface. Hong Sound stated, "I am speaking out to prevent further misunderstandings," and claimed that YouTuber 'ChampD,' who first raised suspicions about backdoor advertising at the time, sacrificed a lot for Tzuyang.
Champ PD conducting a live broadcast to clarify the controversy over undisclosed advertisements with Tzuyang. [Photo by Champ PD YouTube capture]
On the 11th, a video titled "The former CEO who exploited Tzuyang, now I will tell the truth" was uploaded on the channel 'HONG SOUND,' operated by YouTuber Hong Sound. In the video, Hong Sound discussed the truth behind the past 'backdoor advertising incident.'
Hong Sound explained, "At the time of the backdoor advertising controversy, Tzuyang posted a clarification video denying any backdoor advertising, and the backlash was directed at ChampD, who first exposed the backdoor advertising. Eventually, ChampD posted an apology video and held a live broadcast with Tzuyang to clarify the situation," adding, "After the broadcast, ChampD went through a painful time, saying 'I targeted the wrong person,' to the extent that daily life became difficult. He was even hit by a stone while walking down the street."
Hong Sound stated, "ChampD never directly targeted Tzuyang. When asked, 'Did Tzuyang do backdoor advertising?' he replied, 'I will talk about Tzuyang later,' which was immediately turned into a news article and spread as 'Tzuyang did backdoor advertising.' The former CEO who exploited Tzuyang wrote posts on community sites using Tzuyang's channel ID to sway public opinion and even targeted me by saying 'Hong Sound also did backdoor advertising for ramen.' When public opinion about Tzuyang did not change, he reportedly called ChampD," he claimed.
Mukbang YouTuber 'Hong Sound' speaking about the 'undisclosed sponsorship controversy' that arose in 2021. [Photo by Hong Sound YouTube screenshot]
Tzuyang's Ex-Boyfriend Mentioned 'Extreme Choice' in Call with ChampD
According to Hong Sound's claims, Tzuyang's ex-boyfriend and former agency CEO threatened ChampD during a phone call, saying, "I secretly did a lot of backdoor advertising without Tzuyang knowing. The companies involved in the backdoor advertising are contacting me, and there are talks about penalties. I keep thinking about making an extreme choice together with Tzuyang."
In response, ChampD, with the intention of 'saving Tzuyang,' conducted an apology live broadcast with Tzuyang and posted an apology video based on a script written by the former CEO. Hong Sound said, "After that, public opinion shifted, and Tzuyang became a victim who was wrongfully treated, while ChampD became the villain. At that time, ChampD received over 80,000 malicious comments. Even now, articles related to Tzuyang have hateful comments like 'If only it weren't for that ChampD guy.'"
When Hong Sound asked ChampD why he did things that caused misunderstandings, ChampD reportedly replied, "But I saved (Tzuyang), so isn't that enough? I am a businessman, so even if it's not YouTube, I can rise again through something else." Thanks to ChampD's sacrifice, four years later, Tzuyang achieved 10 million subscribers and solidified her position as a mukbang YouTuber, while ChampD endured various malicious comments, personal attacks, and even threats to his family with the sole thought of saving Tzuyang.
After the apology live broadcast ended, ChampD personally called Tzuyang, who was feeling guilty, to check on her condition. According to the recording released by Hong Sound, Tzuyang apologized, saying, "ChampD, are you okay? I'm so sorry," and ChampD kindly comforted her, saying, "You don't have to worry about me. Today, I ate a 15,000 won lunchbox; did you eat? There's nothing to be sorry about. I hope you don't feel guilty or hurt because you have a tender heart. Please broadcast brightly for the fans who love you." Tzuyang responded with a voice mixed with tears, saying "Yes" intermittently.
Hong Sound said, "If ChampD had not chosen to 'save Tzuyang' at that time, someone might have really died then. I realized that ChampD's sacrifice was not in vain," and added that he made the video to clear up misunderstandings about ChampD.
After these facts were revealed, netizens left donations and warm comments on ChampD's YouTube channel community. Comments included, "Truly a wonderful adult," "How great would the world be if there were only adults like ChampD," "You must have gone through a lot," "Such a tearfully good person," "I can't help but cry after listening to the call," "How much strength he must have given to Tzuyang," and "Thank you for saving Tzuyang."
Tzuyang Confesses "I Was Abused by My Ex-Boyfriend for 4 Years"
Earlier on the 10th, the YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon)' released a recording of conversations among 'cyber wreckers' such as Gujeok, Karakula, and Jingukjin, who profit by publicizing others' misfortunes or scandals, discussing Tzuyang. The released recording contained Tzuyang's past, her boyfriend, and secrets she did not want to be exposed. They used this information as blackmail, saying things like "We just need to get a few thousand quickly," "We need to get 200 million won," and "I'll meet Tzuyang's agency, eat a lot of delicious food, and bring back a lot of allowance."
In response, immediately after the Gaseyeon broadcast ended, Tzuyang revealed on her own YouTube channel that she had been subjected to continuous abuse and threats for four years by her ex-boyfriend, agency CEO Mr. A. She also disclosed that she was forced to work at entertainment establishments under Mr. A's coercion. Later, with the help of agency staff, she filed a criminal complaint against Mr. A, but the case was closed with 'no prosecution' after Mr. A made an extreme choice.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced that the case involving YouTubers suspected of threatening or participating in threats against Tzuyang has been assigned to the Criminal Division 3. The prosecution plans to thoroughly investigate whether, as mentioned in the voice recordings released through Gaseyeon, they planned to extort hundreds of millions of won from Tzuyang using her past as leverage, as well as the circumstances before and after contracts worth tens of millions of won were signed.
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