Court Orders Lawyer Who Extorted Mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang to Pay 73.1 Million Won in Damages

A court has ruled that a lawyer who extorted money from popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang, who has 10 million subscribers, must pay a total of 73.1 million won in damages, including the extorted funds, compensation for losses, and consolation money.

According to legal circles on Sunday, June 21, Judge Kim Yu-seong of the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 90 ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff on May 21 in a damages suit filed by Tzuyang against a lawyer identified as Choi.

Tzuyang had originally claimed approximately 150 million won in damages.

A countersuit filed by Choi was dismissed.

Choi, who leaked Tzuyang's personal information to YouTubers such as "Gujaeyeok," was previously sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for two years, for charges including the extortion of 23 million won from her.

In September 2024, Tzuyang filed a lawsuit seeking damages, alleging that Choi had leaked her personal information and spread false information. She also demanded the return of the 23 million won that had been extorted from her.

The court ordered Choi to pay Tzuyang 73.1 million won. This amount includes the 23.1 million won extorted through threats, 30 million won in damages for the decline in her YouTube revenue, and 20 million won in consolation money.

Regarding Choi's leak of personal information related to tax evasion allegations to other YouTubers, the court pointed out, "The leaked personal information was closely related to her private life and could be misused for secondary crimes. Considering that the recipients were all YouTubers, the possibility of dissemination and spread was very high."

The court added, "It is reasonable to conclude that mental distress was realistically caused by the defendant's act of leaking personal information."

Choi's argument that the leak was a justifiable act of public interest reporting regarding tax evasion allegations was rejected.

Furthermore, the court recognized Choi's liability for damages resulting from the dissemination of false information. The court noted that Choi had released a falsified version of a suicide note left by Tzuyang's late ex-boyfriend on YouTube, misleading the public as if Tzuyang were responsible for his death.

The court stated, "The plaintiff's social reputation and positive image were significantly damaged by the acts of leaking personal information and spreading false information," adding, "It is judged that there is a significant causal relationship between the loss of YouTube revenue and the defendant's illegal acts."

Meanwhile, damages lawsuits against YouTubers "Gujaeyeok" and "Jujak Gambyeolsa," who also extorted tens of millions of won from Tzuyang by threatening to expose tax evasion and private life allegations, are currently in the appellate stage.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 21.

In the first trial last October, the court ruled that "Gujaeyeok must pay 75 million won to Tzuyang, and Jujak Gambyeolsa must pay 50 million won jointly with Gujaeyeok."

Gujaeyeok, who was indicted on charges including extortion, was sentenced to three years in prison, while Jujak Gambyeolsa received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for three years.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.