Mukbang star Tzuyang reports YouTube channel Hoverlab's Kim Se-eui to prosecutors

Social Affairs

Mukbang star Tzuyang reports YouTube channel Hoverlab's Kim Se-eui to prosecutors

Published: 31 Jul. 2024, 16:40 Updated: 31 Jul. 2024, 18:59

LEE SOO-JUNG
lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr

Mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang whose real name is Park Jung-won [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Mukbang (eating show) YouTuber Tzuyang on Tuesday filed a complaint against Kim Se-eui, who runs the YouTube channel HoverLab, on charges of coercion and violating communications law.

Police said Wednesday that an attorney representing Tzuyang, whose real name is Park Jung-won, submitted the criminal complaint to the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office on Tuesday — a day after the former MBC reporter, Kim, had a live broadcast that claimed Park worked as a waitress at a karaoke bar when her boyfriend first met her.

The broadcast on Monday contradicts Park's prior explanations. In a video posted on July 11, Park explained that her boyfriend forced her to work at the karaoke bar.

Regarding legal action against Kim, Park’s team said what was publicized in Kim’s Monday broadcast was “not true." They added that Kim "spread false information" about Park's acquaintances as well.

A former MBC reporter, Kim Se-eui who runs YouTube channel HoverLab, enters the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul in March last year to attend a trial after being indicted for spreading false information about former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's daughter. [NEWS1]

They said Kim’s “vigilantism went too far” and that the “secondary and tertiary damage inflicted by his behaviors were too severe.” They noted they could “no longer tolerate offenses” from Kim.

Park’s team added that Kim appears to have colluded with an attorney, surnamed Choi, who provided legal counsel to her ex-boyfriend. Park's former boyfriend was accused of physically assaulting and sexually abusing Park.

He died of suicide while undergoing investigation.

YouTuber Caracula whose legal name is Lee Se-wook [SCREEN CAPTURE]

On Tuesday, the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office requested an arrest warrant against the lawyer Choi and the YouTuber Caracula, whose legal name is Lee Se-wook.

The two are accused of being involved in an extortion scheme targeting Park.

Choi was accused of handing private information about Park to another YouTuber called GooJeYeok, identified by the legal name Lee Jun-hee, and aiding in the YouTuber's extortion scheme.

Caracula was also accused of aiding GooJeYeok’s alleged extortion of Park.

GooJeYeok is currently being investigated for extorting 55 million won ($39,951) from Park in exchange for his silence. He has been detained since Friday.

The Suwon District Court will hold questioning sessions with Caracula and Choi on Friday afternoon to determine whether arrest warrants are necessary.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]