Tzuyang Faces New Controversy Over Charity Event Participation - "Inappropriate to Invite Controversial Figure with Tax Money"

Tzuyang (27, Park Jung-won), a mukbang YouTuber with 12 million subscribers, has become embroiled in new controversy over her participation in a local government-hosted charity event. According to legal circles on August 10, criticism has been raised that "inviting a controversial figure with taxpayer money is inappropriate" regarding Tzuyang's participation in a charity event hosted by Daejeon Dong-gu Office last February.

Attorney Kim So-yeon (Hwang & C Law Firm) criticized via SNS on February 12, saying "It's bad for children's education" and "I don't understand why Dong-gu Office would invite such a person for events." She emphasized that "if taxpayer money is used for controversial figures without proper verification just because they're influencers, local government heads should also be criticized."

The event in question was a charity event held at Daejeon Dong-gu Office's lawn plaza, where Tzuyang demonstrated hamburger steak cooking and donated sale items and proceeds. However, questions about the appropriateness of participating in public events due to past controversies have been raised.

2024 Large-Scale Threats and Exploitation Controversy Re-examined

Behind this controversy lies Tzuyang's major scandal that occurred in 2024. Last July, Tzuyang shocked the public by revealing that she suffered habitual assault, profit exploitation, and threats from her ex-boyfriend, who was also her agency's CEO.

Tzuyang stated at the time, "Mr. A, whom I met during my university leave of absence, was very kind at first but soon began showing violent behavior," and "when I tried to break up, hellish things began." She claimed that Mr. A threatened to release secretly filmed illegal videos and habitually assaulted her with umbrellas and blunt objects.

Particularly, Tzuyang's legal representative claimed "the settlement money Tzuyang didn't receive amounts to at least 4 billion won," and Tzuyang lamented, "I broadcast while being beaten almost every day" and "all the money earned from broadcasting was stolen."

Subsequently, when it became known that she was threatened and extorted by so-called 'wrecker union' YouTubers, she suspended activities for three months. Tzuyang resumed activities in October last year by revealing her recent situation through a live broadcast.

"Influencer Marketing vs Public Responsibility" Confrontation

The controversy surrounding Tzuyang's charity event participation is spreading to issues of appropriateness in local government marketing using influencers. Supporters argue that "Tzuyang, who was a victim in the past, is making positive contributions to society through charitable activities" and "current actions should be evaluated rather than individual past."

Critics counter that "inviting controversial figures with taxpayer money is inappropriate" and "especially in events where children participate, even more caution is needed." A local government official said, "While inviting famous influencers has great promotional effects, public responsibility and social controversies must be considered in balance."

Tzuyang continues her YouTube activities and currently has 12 million subscribers. Her channel has uploaded 895 videos, with daily views reaching millions. The industry estimates her annual revenue to be in the billions of won.

Meanwhile, Tzuyang's side has not issued separate official statements regarding this controversy. However, her charitable activities continue, and she is known to be participating in various social contribution activities recently.

Experts analyze that "clear guidelines are needed for famous influencers' participation in public events" and "social consensus is needed on how to balance past controversies with current contributions."

This incident raises new questions about influencers' social responsibility and roles in public domains in the digital age. Particularly, more careful approaches to local governments' influencer marketing utilization are being demanded.

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Original Article (Korean): Read in Korean