Prosecutors investigate YouTubers for extortion of mukbang star Tzuyang

Prosecutors are investigating the YouTubers who allegedly threatened to expose the past of mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jung Won), who has 10.2 million subscribers, and extorted billions of KRW (millions of USD) from her.

Reports on July 11 indicate that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Criminal Division 3 (led by Chief Prosecutor Choi Soon Ho) has taken on the extortion case involving YouTubers accused of threatening or participating in threats against Tzuyang. The investigation will examine whether the YouTubers planned to extort billions of KRW from Tzuyang and the circumstances surrounding contracts worth tens of millions of KRW, as referenced in audio recordings released on YouTube.

Earlier, a citizen filed a complaint with the prosecution against YouTubers 'Gu Je Yeok,' 'Jeonggukjin,' and 'Caracula,' who are suspected of threatening or being involved in the threats against Tzuyang.

This case came to light on July 10 through the YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute.' The video included conversations from February 2023, where the YouTubers discussed extorting Tzuyang, saying, "If this blows up, Tzuyang will have to retire," "Wouldn't it be better to just pull a few thousand KRW cleanly?" and "I think we need to get at least 200 million KRW (~145,749.68 USD) in cash for this."

Immediately after 'Garosero Research Institute's broadcast, Tzuyang conducted a live stream titled 'I will tell you everything' in the early hours of July 11. During this broadcast, she revealed details about her ex-boyfriend A, whom she met during her university hiatus. She stated, "He threatened to distribute illegally recorded videos and assaulted me with blunt objects like an umbrella. He forced me to work at the bar where he was employed, saying I only needed to serve drinks, and he took all the money I earned there."

Tzuyang explained that she started her mukbang channel to earn money and said, "Even after starting the channel, I was beaten almost every day. When the channel started to become successful, A set up a management agency." She added, "It's been five years since I started broadcasting, and for four of those years, this happened daily."

Attorney Kim Tae Yeon, representing Tzuyang, said, "We have filed a criminal complaint against A for habitual assault, intimidation, injury, extortion, coercion, and violations of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, including claims for settlement money, termination of the exclusive contract, and opposition to trademark applications." Attorney Kim added, "Given the numerous charges, we expected a sentence of more than five years. However, A tragically took his own life, leading to the decision of 'no right to prosecute,' effectively closing the criminal case."