Ilgan Best Storage, an online community notorious for various mock-ups and hate-related posts, is reportedly facing operational difficulties due to a sharp decline in advertising revenue.
The operation team has requested donations from members and announced the introduction of paid services.
Through an announcement on the 11th, the Ilbe operation team stated, "Recently, ad placements have decreased significantly, making it difficult to maintain a stable site operation solely with existing ad revenue."
They explained that while server operation, development, and maintenance costs have traditionally been covered by ad revenue, the decrease in income has increased their financial burden.
They added, "It is difficult to guarantee how much longer we can sustain ourselves under the current circumstances," and noted, "The management team is working without pay."
Currently, the operation team has disclosed a bank account and is asking members for financial support.
The operation team stated, "Donations are entirely voluntary, and posts, comments, and recommendations also provide great strength," while also mentioning, "Every single donation sent is of great help to the actual operation of the site and server maintenance."
They are also pushing to launch paid services.
This method involves providing separate benefits related to site usage to supporting members who pay.
The operation team explained that they plan to set up a system allowing users to check the cumulative donation amounts of themselves and other members.
Ilbe has previously been embroiled in numerous controversies.
It has faced severe criticism for taking the lead in disparaging and mocking various social issues, such as holding a "gluttony strike" in front of the bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster or posting content degrading the victims.
The political circle is discussing regulations targeting online platforms like Ilbe.
President Lee Jae-myung directly mentioned Ilbe last May, stating, "We must bring to public debate and practically review necessary measures under strict conditions—such as punishment and punitive damages for mockery and hate speech, as well as the closure of and imposition of fines on sites that neglect and encourage such behavior, like Ilbe."
Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Ahn Jun-hyeok | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
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