The Fate of YouTubers Who Blackmailed Tzuyang by Threatening to Expose Her Private Life

Blackmailed Tzuyang for 55 Million Won by Threatening to Expose Her Private Life
Court Orders YouTuber Gujaeyeok to Pay 75 Million Won in Damages

The court has ruled that YouTubers Gujaeyeok (real name Lee Junhee) and Jujak Gambyulsa (real name Jeon Gukjin), who blackmailed the famous mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jungwon), extorting money from her, must compensate Tzuyang for damages. Tzuyang has over 12.6 million subscribers.

Mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang. Tzuyang Instagram

On the 27th, Judge Kim Hyeryeong of the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 212 ruled partially in favor of Tzuyang in her damages lawsuit against the two individuals, ordering Gujaeyeok to pay her 75 million won, and Jujak Gambyulsa to pay 50 million won jointly with Gujaeyeok. Tzuyang had originally claimed 100 million won from Gujaeyeok and 50 million won from Jujak Gambyulsa.

Previously, the YouTube channel "Garosero Research Institute" claimed in July of last year that Gujaeyeok and Jujak Gambyulsa had extorted money from Tzuyang by threatening to expose details of her private life. In response, Tzuyang revealed on her personal YouTube channel that she had suffered four years of continuous assault and threats from her ex-boyfriend, and that in February 2023, Gujaeyeok and Jujak Gambyulsa had extorted 55 million won from her in exchange for not disclosing information related to her private life. She subsequently filed a damages lawsuit in September last year, citing psychological harm caused by the two individuals.

Separately, in September, Gujaeyeok and Jujak Gambyulsa, who were indicted on charges including blackmail against Tzuyang, were sentenced on appeal to three years in prison and one year in prison with a three-year suspended sentence, respectively. Attorney Choi, who was also indicted, was sentenced to two years in prison; YouTuber Karakyula (real name Lee Sewook) received one year in prison with a three-year suspended sentence; and YouTuber Crocodile (real name Choi Ilhwan) was fined 5 million won.