Google to block video profits of three YouTubers accused of blackmailing Tzuyang

“We have decided to block three channels — Caracula, GooJeYeok and Jeon Gukjin — that have violated our policy on creators from making a profit through our YouTube partner program,” the tech giant said on Monday night.

Google’s policy on creators refers to a set of guidelines aimed at preventing unethical content from being uploaded on YouTube. The guidelines also dictate that creators who misbehave in the real world, such as through violence or fraud, will also be penalized.

All videos of the three YouTubers are still available on YouTube as of Tuesday morning.

Caracula, GooJeYeok and Jeon Gukjin have been accused of demanding money from mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang in exchange for their silence on her “controversial” past.

The revelation was made on July 10 through another YouTube channel, HoverLab Inc., which disclosed recorded phone calls between the three blackmailers discussing their plans to extort money from Tzuyang.

Tzuyang held a livestream on July 11 at 1 a.m., explaining that she had been beaten and exploited by her now-dead ex-boyfriend and CEO of her agency for four years.

Tzuyang filed a report against three YouTubers, excluding Caracula, and another “anonymous blackmailer” to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office for blackmail, her attorneys said Monday.

GooJeYeok, who reportedly took 55 million won ($39,700) from Tzuyang, voluntarily attended a questioning session at the prosecutors’ office on Monday. He denied the blackmail accusation and claimed the two parties signed a contract.

“I did not blackmail or threaten Tzuyang,” GooJeYeok, whose real name is Lee Jun-hee, told reporters on Monday. “She was the one who asked me for a risk assessment and management.”

YouTubers Caracula and Jeon Gukjin each uploaded videos to explain their side of the story. Caracula claimed he wasn’t blackmailing but “joking around,” while Jeon Gukjin apologized for taking 3 million won from Tzuyang because he had been going through a “financial crisis.”

“If I had known Tzuyang’s story, I would not have made such mistaken phone calls or joked around with GooJeYeok,” Caracula said in his video. “I am sorry to have hurt Tzuyang with my poor judgment and shallow actions.”

The prosecutor general ordered a “thorough” investigation into the case as well as protecting the victim and confiscating the profit made through illegal means, reports said Monday.

“Any profit made through crimes should be scrutinized and traced and illegal profit should be confiscated according to the law,” Lee said.

Tzuyang, a 27-year-old YouTuber famed for her mukbang videos and friendly demeanor whose real name is Park Jung-won, said last week that she suffered physical and mental abuse and threats from her ex-boyfriend for four years. He exploited her both financially and sexually and extorted more than 4 billion won during those four years, the YouTuber said.

Tzuyang filed criminal charges against her ex-boyfriend on various counts, but the case was closed when he committed suicide, said lawyer Kim. The specific date of his death was not disclosed.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]