Journey YouTuber Kwak Joon-bin, higher generally known as KwakTube, seems in an ENA selection present. Captured from YouTube
Viewers demand elimination of KwakTube from TV exhibits
By KTimes
Widespread YouTuber KwakTube (actual title Kwak Joon-bin, 32), who’s going through mounting backlash after filming a section 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 sufferer of faculty violence.
KwakTube’s company, SM C&C, issued an official assertion Thursday addressing on-line posts questioning the authenticity of KwakTube’s claims of being a sufferer of faculty violence.
A netizen, who claimed to be a center faculty classmate of KwakTube, alleged on a web based group that KwakTube exaggerated his expertise of being bullied and instructed that his friends turned towards him after he was caught stealing a gaming console.
In response, KwakTube’s company stated, “In accordance with the submit, the alleged incidents occurred throughout KwakTube’s first and second years of center faculty. Nevertheless, KwakTube has beforehand stated that he struggled with faculty violence and finally dropped out throughout highschool.”
It stated that the particular person making these claims didn’t attend the identical highschool as KwakTube, and thus wouldn’t have correct information of the occasions.
Within the meantime, some viewers have even begun petitioning broadcasters to take away KwakTube from their packages.
The controversy started after KwakTube uploaded a video on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, that includes a journey vlog with Lee in Italy. Within the video, KwakTube expressed remorse, saying, “I’ve talked rather a lot about being a sufferer of faculty violence, however I really feel conflicted as a result of it looks like I is likely to be hurting somebody who was misunderstood.”
His feedback have been meant to consolation Lee, who was accused 4 years in the past of being a faculty bully. Nevertheless, Lee can be below suspicion for allegedly bullying former April member, Lee Hyun-joo. Some followers, deciphering KwakTube’s actions as defending Lee Na-eun, reacted strongly.
Regardless of KwakTube eradicating the video and apologizing, saying, “I didn’t assume deeply sufficient and missed some points,” the controversy has not subsided.
KwakTube, who has 2.1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and seems on varied TV exhibits, wields important public affect. This has raised issues concerning the potential impression of his involvement in ads and different media.
Warning of authorized motion
His company, SM C&C, stated in an announcement that Kwak Joon-bin has obtained appreciable criticism and suggestions for the video he uploaded, which required an apology, and he’s deeply reflecting on his actions.
Journey YouTuber KwakTube / Courtesy of SM C&C
“We earnestly request that folks chorus from making private assaults, spreading unverified malicious claims, or participating in indiscriminate guilt-by-association criticism concentrating on his acquaintances,” it stated.
The company stated it should actively reply to the scenario.
“To stop related incidents sooner or later, we are going to take strict motion with out leniency towards those that create or unfold false data and malicious rumors,” it stated.
The company additionally addressed allegations that Kwak stole a gaming console in his second 12 months of center faculty, stating that these claims are false.
“After confirming with classmates from 2005, when Kwak was within the second 12 months of center faculty, it was revealed that the Nintendo DS was so uncommon on the time that nobody even knew about it. Most significantly, nobody remembers Kwak ever stealing a gaming console.”
It additionally stated that Kwak himself has denied ever being concerned in such an incident.
Pani Bottle’s response
On Thursday, an MBN official stated that KwakTube didn’t take part within the first recording of a brand new program to be hosted by TV persona Jun Hyun-moo on Wednesday resulting from what it claimed have been well being points.
The official stated, “There’s at present no choice concerning his departure from the present.”
KwakTube was set to look in season 2 of this system, a road meals documentary that captures tales from native residents and restaurant house owners. The brand new season is scheduled to air subsequent month.
The controversy surrounding KwakTube has unexpectedly unfold to his pal, fellow journey YouTuber Pani Bottle.
A netizen provocatively messaged Pani Bottle on social media, criticizing him for posting new content material regardless of KwakTube’s scenario. The message learn, “So that you solely care about your self whereas your pal falls from grace? Let’s examine you fall too.”
In response, Pani Bottle angrily fired again with harsh language, asking, “Did I trigger KwakTube’s downfall?”
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Occasions, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Occasions.
