SUWON – A local court on Friday issued an arrest warrant for YouTuber Lee Se-wook, who is accused of blackmailing and extorting popular “mukbang” star Tzuyang, amid concerns he might flee or destroy evidence.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the warrant was issued following a hearing earlier in the day, which Lee, known for his channel Caracula, attended via a private route, avoiding the press. The court, however, denied a similar request for an arrest warrant for a lawyer, surnamed Choi, who was involved in the case but considered less likely to flee or tamper with evidence.
The controversy came to light after Tzuyang, who commands over 10 million subscribers on YouTube, filed a complaint against Choi. She alleged that under duress of having her past exposed—specifically her time working at a bar, which she claims was under the threat and assault from a former boyfriend—she signed an advisory agreement with Choi, paying him 23 million won (approximately US$16,764).
Further accusations state that Choi passed misleading information about Tzuyang to another YouTuber, while Lee is suspected of aiding in the blackmail by yet another YouTuber named Gujeyeok. Lee is also accused of collaborating with Gujeyeok to extort money from another internet broadcaster.
The case has sparked significant public interest, heightened last month when the YouTube channel Hoverlab disclosed that Tzuyang had been threatened with exposure of her past by several YouTubers, leading to her being blackmailed for substantial sums. In response to these allegations, the court had previously granted arrest warrants for YouTubers Gujeyeok and Jujakgambeolsa, who allegedly extorted 55 million won from Tzuyang.