YouTuber Karakula Accused of Threatening Tzuyang
Sports Kyunghyang "Removed Office Signboard and No External Activities"
It has been reported that Karakula (real name Lee Se-wook), who runs the YouTube channel 'Karakula Media,' has taken down the office signboard.
On the 12th, YouTuber 'Karacula' completely denied the allegations related to the 'Tzuyang threat suspicion.' [Photo by YouTube 'Karacula Media']
On the 17th, Sports Kyunghyang reported that the signboard of the 'Karakula Media' office located in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was removed. This office was operated by YouTuber Karakula for video production and staff management, and on the lower floor of the same building, lawyer Cheon Ho-seong, who is a close friend of Karakula, also resides.
Earlier, on the 10th, it was revealed through leaked call recordings that Gujaeyeok, Karakula, and Jeon Guk-jin conspired to threaten mukbang YouTuber 'Tzuyang' by exploiting her private life. They each run the YouTube channels 'Gujaeyeok,' 'Karakula Media,' and 'Jujak Gambalsa' respectively. In conversations with Gujaeyeok, Karakula made inappropriate remarks such as "Get a lot of allowance from Tzuyang," "Of course, you have to go (to meet Tzuyang)," and "You have to get as much as possible while you can," raising suspicions of collusion in the threats. Additionally, further revelations such as "25 million won for travel expenses" and comments related to the late Pyo Ye-rim intensified the controversy.
After the call with Karakula, Gujaeyeok reportedly received 55 million won from Tzuyang's side under the pretext of 'risk management' consulting, of which 3 million won was passed on to Jeon Guk-jin. Prosecutors are currently investigating their extortion and threat charges, and YouTube Korea has suspended monetization on the channels of Karakula, Gujaeyeok, and Jeon Guk-jin citing this incident.
As the controversy grew, Karakula released a video titled 'This is YouTuber Karakula. I will explain' on the 15th, denying all allegations against him. He claimed that the released call recordings were maliciously manipulated, stating, "I have never embezzled any financial benefits. The audio was maliciously manipulated and edited. If Gujaeyeok really threatened Tzuyang to receive under-the-table money, I would make sure Gujaeyeok never dares to come near the YouTube scene again." On his YouTube community, he also strongly denied by saying, "I stake my two sons that I have never accepted illicit money from anyone."
Some speculate that Karakula might be preparing for a legal battle with Tzuyang. Previously, Tzuyang filed complaints against YouTubers Gujaeyeok and Jeon Guk-jin, as well as the operator of the Crime Research Institute, and the complaint was assigned to the Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Tzuyang's legal representative stated that Karakula was initially excluded from the lawsuit but may be sued if additional allegations arise.
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