Two women who extorted over 200 million won from YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jeong-won) by threatening to expose her past have been sentenced to suspended prison terms in the first trial. The fact that the victim reached a settlement played a role in the decision.
On the 20th, the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Judge Koo Chang-kyu) sentenced Kim (a pseudonym) to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 4 years, for violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (joint extortion). Another defendant, Song (a pseudonym), was sentenced to 2 years in prison, also suspended for 4 years.
The court also ordered both women to undergo probation and complete 100 hours of community service. During the probation period, they were specifically instructed not to contact the victim, Tzuyang, through any means and not to approach within 100 meters of her residence or workplace.
The court stated, “The duration of the joint extortion was long, and the amount extorted was significant, indicating poor criminal circumstances. In particular, the defendant Song committed an attempted extortion even after a settlement agreement was made in November 2023, which is very poor behavior.”
The court considered the fact that the defendants had reached a settlement with Tzuyang and expressed their intention to apologize continuously as reasons for the lenient sentencing. The court explained, “The defendants have expressed their intention to apologize through the victim's representative from the investigation stage. They repaid an amount exceeding the extorted sum during the investigation and indicated that the victim did not wish to pursue punishment,” adding, “Although the crime is serious, we will grant a suspended sentence this time considering the favorable circumstances.”
Previously, Kim and Song worked together at an entertainment establishment in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, in 2019. In June 2021, they met with the representative of Tzuyang's agency and the PD of her YouTube channel, demanding 200 million won in exchange for not exposing her past personal life. From June 2021 to November of the following year, Kim and Song extorted a total of 216 million won over 38 instances. In May 2023, Song also approached the PD of Tzuyang's YouTube channel again, demanding 15 million won, but Tzuyang's side did not comply, resulting in an attempted extortion.
Additionally, YouTuber Gu Jiyuk (real name Lee Jun-hee) and lawyer Choi (a pseudonym), who were indicted for extorting money from Tzuyang, were sentenced to 3 years and 2 years in prison, respectively, in the first trial and were taken into custody. The appeal ruling for the two is scheduled for September 5.
Furthermore, YouTuber Jujak Gambeolsa (real name Jeong Guk-jin), who is facing extortion charges against Tzuyang, was sentenced to 1 year in prison, suspended for 3 years, in the first trial. YouTubers Karyakula (real name Lee Se-wook) and Crocodile (real name Choi Il-hwan), who were charged with aiding extortion against Gu Jiyuk, were each sentenced to 1 year in prison, suspended for 3 years, and fined 5 million won.
