'Jjuyang Gonggal Hyupbak' Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Karakulla Granted Bail

by Lim Juhyeong

Published 23 Jan.2025 20:44(KST)

Extorted Tens of Millions of Won by Threatening to Expose Private Life

YouTuber 'Gujaeyeok' (real name Lee Junhee), who was indicted for threatening and extorting tens of millions of won from mukbang YouTuber 'Tzuyang' (real name Park Jungwon), who has 10 million subscribers, has been released on bail.

According to Yonhap News on the 23rd, the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 14 (Judge Park Irang) accepted the bail request filed by YouTubers Gujaeyeok, Karakulla (real name Lee Sewook), and lawyer Choi on the same day. They were indicted on charges including extortion.

The court also granted bail ex officio to another YouTuber, 'Jujakgambalsa' (real name Jeon Gukjin), who did not file a bail request.

YouTuber Gujeokyeok (real name Lee Junhee) is entering the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office to attend a pre-arrest suspect hearing (warrant review) held at the Suwon District Court in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of July 26 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

Gujaeyeok and Jujakgambalsa are accused of threatening Tzuyang in February 2023 with the intent of "not publicizing suspicions related to your tax evasion and private life if you pay money," and extorting 55 million won.

They allegedly forced Tzuyang to film content using her fame by saying, "Promote my acquaintance's restaurant," and in October 2021, threatened her with the intent of "posting a video claiming you harass small business owners by filing excessive lawsuits."

Karakulla and YouTuber 'Crocodile' (real name Choi Ilhwan) are accused of encouraging Gujaeyeok to extort Tzuyang. They reportedly told Gujaeyeok at the time, "It is more profitable to directly extort money than to post expos? videos about Tzuyang."

Lawyer Choi is accused of obtaining information related to a civil lawsuit filed by A, Tzuyang's ex-boyfriend and former agency CEO, against a restaurant in October 2021, and using it to threaten both A and Tzuyang. He was originally the legal representative for the defendant restaurant but learned personal information such as Tzuyang and A's premarital cohabitation during the lawsuit process and later provided this information to Gujaeyeok, according to investigations.

The defendants were arrested and indicted on August 14 of last year. According to the current Criminal Procedure Act, the detention period for an indicted defendant is up to six months.