"I was sent to a juvenile detention center"... Excessive cyberbullying extends even to former classmates [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

As criticism continues to mount against YouTuber Park Wi, baseless and excessive cyberbullying has also emerged.

Following the controversy surrounding Park Wi's recent release of CCTV footage from his social service assignment as a KTX attendant—which he later deleted amid backlash—the fallout continues. On Park Wi's YouTube channel "Wi Miracle," while comments criticizing him persist, individuals claiming to be his former classmates have appeared, raising allegations of school violence.

As Park Wi's past videos are being pinned and his social media posts and past remarks are being thoroughly investigated, people claiming to be his former classmates on a YouTube video stated, "We attended Yongsan High School together. Rumors circulated that he returned to school after leaving the juvenile detention center."

Another person claimed, "Park Wi inflicted injuries requiring four weeks of medical treatment on me during my second year of high school," raising allegations of school violence. While doubts remain regarding the credibility of these posts so far, screenshots of the comments are spreading rapidly across various online communities.

In another post, individuals claiming to be Park Wi's former classmates appeared, asserting that these claims are false. They wrote, "Park Wi is a classmate who visited him in the hospital when he suffered from paralysis at the time. Park Wi has nothing to do with school violence or bullying." They further added, "About 40 fellow Yongsan High School students visited him in the hospital back then. He is indeed a friend with a positive and kind mindset," offering support for him.

On the 21st, Park Wi uploaded a video titled "Reasons for Releasing CCTV Footage" to his YouTube channel "Wi Miracle." In the video, he explained that he was injured while getting off the KTX after using it for a lecture on the 14th. He described how, as he descended a ramp in a wheelchair, the wheels caught on an attendant's foot, causing him to be thrown from the wheelchair and fall to the floor.

The accompanying CCTV footage captured the moment Park Wi fell from his wheelchair while going down the ramp. Recalling the incident, Park Wi explained, "Suddenly, I saw feet right in front of me. My wheelchair got caught on those feet, and my body was thrown off, landing on the ground." He added, "Honestly, I was so angry. I was furious, lost my composure, and many thoughts raced through my mind, but I was already lying on the floor. It was a terrifying situation."

Park Wi also revealed that he felt great fear because, given his near-total lack of sensation in his lower body, it would be difficult to determine if he was injured immediately after the accident. He said, "I have never fallen from such a height for 12 years. What's even more frightening is that I wouldn't know if I had a fracture or a crack because I can't feel anything."

He further shared his honest feelings: "Although the attendant did not intentionally do it, I was angry just because they placed their foot on the ramp." However, he urged people to refrain from criticizing specific individuals, explaining that the CCTV footage was released with the intent of highlighting the need for safety improvements, as a single mistake can lead to a major accident.

However, after the video was released, some pointed out that Park Wi's approach of publicly singling out one person by releasing CCTV footage despite the public service worker's apology was excessive. Consequently, Park Wi deleted the CCTV footage and posted an apology letter.

Park Wi bowed his head, saying, "At the scene where the incident occurred, the attendant did their best to help me and apologized politely. I failed to consider their perspective." He continued, "I viewed only negatively a mistake that occurred in the process of trying to help me better. My method of delivery was immature, and my thinking was short-sighted. I apologize to everyone who worked hard at the scene." Park Wi added, "I also deeply apologize to all viewers who watched the video. I will take your advice to heart and approach content creation with a mature attitude. Taking this incident as an opportunity, I will act more cautiously and responsibly in all matters. Once again, I am sincerely sorry."

However, public anger continues even after that. Over 10,000 critical comments from angry netizens have been posted on Park Wi's apology letter. While his posts usually receive only a few hundred comments at most, an overwhelming number of opinions are pouring in, far beyond what is typical.

Above all, the public is furious that Park Wi publicly singled out one individual and incited a witch hunt. Criticism is being directed at him for blaming the public service worker who made a mistake while trying to help him and for considering only his own perspective. There are also criticisms regarding his decision to post a video that seemed to single out an individual even after receiving help, despite the accident being caused by a mistake. Some voices argue that criticizing someone for making a mistake while helping a disabled person could discourage others from offering assistance to the disabled. Amidst this, it is noted that the public service worker placed their foot on the lift for safety reasons, and further criticisms are directed at Park Wi himself for not wearing a seatbelt and for descending the ramp with his wheelchair facing backward.

Following this, the fallout has continued for nearly ten days, with cyberbullying spreading from Park Wi to Song Ji-eun as well, leading the couple to voluntarily resign from their positions as Seoul city promotional ambassadors.

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*This content was translated by AI.