On April 16, Park Wi and Song Ji-eun uploaded a video titled “Please Become Part of the Wiracle Family!”, revealing their decision to open a membership service after running the channel for seven years.

Park Wi shared: “So many things have happened since we started in 2019. The biggest was meeting Ji-eun and getting married.”

He explained that the membership aims to create a closer connection with subscribers, adding that the decision came after extensive internal discussions.

The monthly fee was set at 2,990 KRW (approx. $2 USD), with the promise of more exclusive and higher-quality content. Song Ji-eun added that the platform would allow them to share more personal and in-depth stories with fans.

However, the announcement quickly triggered heated reactions online.

Some netizens criticized the move, leaving harsh comments such as:

  • Are they obsessed with money?
  • Why charge for communication with fans?
  • I’m unsubscribing.

At the same time, others defended the couple, arguing:

  • No one is forcing you to pay.
  • It’s just another content option.

The situation has become a classic case of divided public opinion over monetization in influencer culture.

Park Wi has long been admired for his resilience. After a serious fall in 2014 that left him paralyzed, he gradually regained upper body mobility through rehabilitation and went on to inspire many through his content.

His relationship with Song Ji-eun also drew attention. The two met at an early morning church service in 2023 and officially married in 2024, becoming a widely supported couple.

The controversy highlights a broader conversation in the digital space: Where is the line between authentic connection and paid content?

For some fans, monetizing deeper communication feels like a barrier. For others, it’s a natural evolution of content creation especially for creators who have built a loyal audience over many years.

As the debate continues, all eyes are on how Park Wi and Song Ji-eun will respond to the backlash.

Sources: 네이트 뉴스