Popular YouTuber Tzuyang (Park Jeong-won) appeared as a witness before South Korea’s National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on Oct. 14, detailing the toll of so-called “cyber-wrecker” channels―clickbait accounts that amplify rumors and defamation for views and profit.
“I came hoping lawmakers and experts here will build protections society truly needs,” she said, admitting she was initially hesitant to speak publicly. “I was scared and unsure I even deserved to be here, but I’m grateful for the invitation―and I feel a responsibility to tell the truth.”
Opening up about the ordeal, Tzuyang said, “At the time, I was so afraid and overwhelmed I felt like I couldn’t do anything.” She described enduring years of threats and demands for money, before distorted narratives and outright falsehoods about her spread online, triggering severe distress.
“I was honestly too scared of retaliation to push back―filing a lawsuit didn’t even feel possible,” she continued, adding that support from people around her gave her the courage to fight. It took two years and six months until appellate courts handed down guilty verdicts to several YouTubers involved, during which she invested significant time and resources into legal action and treatment.
Rep. Kim Jang-kyeom of the People Power Party underscored the scope of the problem, noting that four of seven petitions submitted to a subcommittee―each backed by more than 50,000 citizen signatures―were directly or indirectly tied to cyber-wrecker abuses. He warned that ordinary citizens facing similar attacks have few effective avenues for recourse under current rules.
Tzuyang said she tried reporting procedures on platforms like YouTube, but the velocity of viral content made remedies feel moot. “Videos spread so fast that hundreds of thousands can see them in a day. Even if they’re taken down later, undoing the damage and clearing misunderstandings is incredibly difficult,” she said, calling for faster, more robust relief mechanisms.
She closed with a plea to users: “Before you post a comment, please remember there’s a person with feelings on the other side who hurts just like you.” Tzuyang continues to fend off China-related rumors seeded by those channels.
In the case tied to her allegations, the YouTuber known as “Goo Je Yeok” received a three-year prison sentence on appeal, while Jeong Guk-jin and Caracula were also found guilty. Kim Se-eui, head of the Hover Lab channel, was forwarded to prosecutors without detention on stalking and defamation allegations, with proceedings ongoing.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)