Psick University's YouTube subscribers collapse to below 3 million amid disparagement controversy

The South Korean YouTube channel "Psick University," previously boasting over 3 million subscribers, has seen a significant decline to below 3 million following a controversy over disparaging remarks about the Yeongyang region. 

As of the afternoon of the 27th, the channel’s subscriber count has decreased to 2.99 million. Despite apologizing a week after the regional disparagement controversy surfaced, the channel continues to lose public favor, dropping from approximately 3.18 million subscribers.

Earlier, on November 11, Psick University uploaded a video titled "Arrived in Yeongyang, the Smallest City in Gyeongsang Province," as part of their "Made in Gyeongsangdo" series. In the video, while visiting a bakery in Yeongyang and eating a hamburger bun, cast members made remarks such as "They don't have Lotteria here, so the young ones have to settle for this" and "It's so bad, this is how they end up eating it." Referring to blueberry jelly purchased at a market, one said, "It tastes like grandmother, like chewing on grandmother's flesh," and regarding a local stream, remarked, "It looked pretty from above, but from below, it’s like sewage." Additionally, comments like "I'm a civil servant, and if I got assigned here... I'll leave it at that" and "As a comedian, I felt my limits," continuously belittled the Yeongyang area throughout the video.

This led to an outcry not only from the residents of Yeongyang but also from viewers accusing the channel of regional disparagement.

In response, Pisik University issued an apology on the 18th, one week after posting the contentious video, stating, "Due to our immaturity, we apologize to all those who were affected." They explained that the video was shot emphasizing the concept of a peaceful area, using excessive expressions to bring comedic value, which were delivered unfiltered in a manner hard to perceive as comedy due to the lack of consideration for residents and small business owners. Following the backlash, they visited the mentioned bakery and a traditional restaurant to apologize. Although the owners currently report no damages, the channel pledged to monitor for any future damages and assist as needed. The video has since been removed.

Pisik University has not uploaded new content in about two weeks following the escalation of the controversy. It remains to be seen how the channel will address the turned public opinion and what steps they will take moving forward.