2 weeks Ago By [email protected](KoreaTimes)
Travel YouTuber Kwak Joon-bin, better known as KwakTube, appears in an ENA variety show. Captured from YouTube Viewers demand removal of KwakTube from TV shows By KTimes Popular YouTuber KwakTube (real name Kwak Joon-bin, 32), who is facing mounting backlash after filming a segment with former April member and actress Lee Na-eun who has been accused of ostracizing fellow group members, has denied allegations that he fabricated claims of being a victim of school violence. KwakTube's agency, SM C&C, issued an official statement Thursday addressing online posts questioning the authenticity of KwakTube's claims of being a victim of school violence.
A netizen, who claimed to be a middle school classmate of KwakTube, alleged on an online community that KwakTube exaggerated his experience of being bullied and suggested that his peers turned against him after he was caught stealing a gaming console. In response, KwakTube's agency said, "According to the post, the alleged incidents occurred during KwakTube's first and second years of middle school. However, KwakTube has previously said that he struggled with school violence and eventually dropped out during high school.
" It said that the person making these claims did not attend the same high school as KwakTube, and thus would not have accurate knowledge of the events. In the meantime, some viewers have even begun petitioning broadcasters to remove KwakTube from their programs. The controversy began after KwakTube uploaded a video on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, featuring a travel vlog with Lee in Italy.
In the video, KwakTube expressed regret, saying, "I’ve talked a lot about being a victim of school violence, but I feel conflicted because it seems like I might be hurting someone who was misunderstood." His comments were intended to comfort Lee, who was accused four years ago of being a school bully. However, Lee is also under suspicion for allegedly bullying former April member, Lee Hyun-joo.
Some fans, interpreting KwakTube's actions as defending Lee Na-eun, reacted strongly. Despite KwakTube removing the video and apologizing, saying, "I didn’t think deeply enough and overlooked some issues," the controversy has not subsided. KwakTube, who has 2.
1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and appears on various TV shows, wields significant public influence. This has raised concerns about the potential impact of his involvement in advertisements and other media. Warning of legal action His agency, SM C&C, said in a statement that Kwak Joon-bin has received considerable criticism and feedback for the video he uploaded, which required an apology, and he is deeply reflecting on his actions.
Travel YouTuber KwakTube / Courtesy of SM C&C "We earnestly request that people refrain from making personal attacks, spreading unverified malicious claims, or engaging in indiscriminate guilt-by-association criticism targeting his acquaintances," it said. The agency said it will actively respond to the situation. "To prevent similar incidents in the future, we will take strict action without leniency against those who create or spread false information and malicious rumors," it said.
The agency also addressed allegations that Kwak stole a gaming console in his second year of middle school, stating that these claims are false. "After confirming with classmates from 2005, when Kwak was in the second year of middle school, it was revealed that the Nintendo DS was so rare at the time that no one even knew about it. Most importantly, no one remembers Kwak ever stealing a gaming console.
" It also said that Kwak himself has denied ever being involved in such an incident. Pani Bottle's reaction On Thursday, an MBN official said that KwakTube did not participate in the first recording of a new program to be hosted by TV personality Jun Hyun-moo on Wednesday due to what it claimed were health issues. The official said, "There is currently no decision regarding his departure from the show.
" KwakTube was set to appear in season 2 of the program, a street food documentary that captures stories from local residents and restaurant owners. The new season is scheduled to air next month. The controversy surrounding KwakTube has unexpectedly spread to his friend, fellow travel YouTuber Pani Bottle.
A netizen provocatively messaged Pani Bottle on social media, criticizing him for posting new content despite KwakTube's situation. The message read, "So you only care about yourself while your friend falls from grace? Let's see you fall too." In response, Pani Bottle angrily fired back with harsh language, asking, "Did I cause KwakTube’s downfall?" This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
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