South Korean prosecutors have requested a one-year prison sentence for two women charged with extorting over ₩200 million from popular YouTuber Tzuyang by means of threats and coercion.
On July 18, during the sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court under Judge Koo Chang-kyu, the prosecution formally requested that the 30-something and 20-something female defendants, identified as A and B, be sentenced to one year in prison each for violating laws under the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts (joint extortion).
The women were accused of blackmailing Tzuyang and her production team between June 2021 and November 2022, coercing them into paying a total of ₩216 million. According to Tzuyang, her former agency CEO—who was also her ex-boyfriend—proposed resolving the situation by silencing the two women with money.
In a YouTube video posted in July 2024, Tzuyang explained, “Three years ago, my ex-boyfriend, the CEO of my former agency, told me these two women were threatening. He said, ‘Let’s hush them with money.’ Unfortunately, my YouTube channel PD had to step in and negotiate, eventually paying them the full amount over two years.”
During the trial, the defendants’ legal representatives argued that the offense was impulsive rather than premeditated, stating, “There was no original intent to cause harm to the victim. The defendants are deeply remorseful and ask for leniency.”
Both A and B made heartfelt final statements. A admitted guilt and asked for forgiveness, while B expressed sincere remorse and pledged never to repeat such behavior.
The court is set to deliver its final verdict on August 20. Meanwhile, the case has ignited conversations about the pressures faced by content creators and the vulnerability of influencers to exploitation and manipulation.
Tzuyang, known for her mukbang videos and candid online presence, continues to maintain a strong following despite the troubling revelations from her past.