Popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jung Won), who boasts over 10 million subscribers, has filed a complaint against Kim Se Eui, the CEO of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, for allegedly spreading false information.
On July 30, Tzuyang's legal representative filed a complaint with the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office, accusing Kim Se Eui of threats, coercion, and violating the Information and Communication Network Act by disseminating false statements.
The controversy began when Garo Sero Research Institute claimed during a live broadcast on their YouTube channel on July 29 that "Tzuyang met her ex-boyfriend, who worked as a waiter, while she was already employed at a karaoke bar," which is the opposite of what Tzuyang previously claimed.
Tzuyang had previously addressed her past on her own YouTube channel, revealing that during her university days, she dated an ex-boyfriend who subjected her to assault and threats and forced her to work at a karaoke bar.
Garo Sero Research Institute has continued to assert that Tzuyang's statements that the ex-boyfriend forced her to work at the karaoke bar are false.
In response to the lawsuit, Kim Se Eui stated on the YouTube channel's community page, "I am not someone who gets intimidated by lawsuits like this," and added, "The prosecution's investigation will reveal the truth about who truly is lying." He further expressed confidence, saying, "This is actually a positive development. I will fully cooperate with the investigation, and the prosecution just needs to thoroughly uncover the truth. I am not a criminal taking dirty bribes like Gu Je Yeok, Jeon Guk Jin, or Caracula."
This case first came to public attention when the Garo Sero Research Institute claimed that "Tzuyang was extorted by YouTubers over past issues." On July 26, YouTubers Gu Je Yeok (real name Lee Joon Hee) and Ju Jak Gam Byul Sa (real name Jeon Guk Jin) were arrested on charges of blackmailing and threatening Tzuyang.
Additionally, a pre-arrest warrant has been issued for the lawyer of Tzuyang's ex-boyfriend, Choi, and YouTuber Caracula (real name Lee Se Wook), who are accused of aiding Gu Je Yeok in his blackmail. They are awaiting a warrant review.
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