Heeji Jini, former employee exposes “20 million won annual salary and 16-hour workdays,” comment section erupts [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A former employee who claimed to have worked at the company of kids YouTuber Heeji Jini (real name Kang Hye-jin), who has 4.13 million subscribers, alleged that they were diagnosed with panic disorder due to long working hours. In response, the comment section on Heeji Jini’s YouTube channel is filled with heated debate.

Recently, an online user identified as A, who introduced themselves as a former employee of Heeji Jini’s company, shared their experiences regarding past working conditions and the process of applying for workers’ compensation through an online community.

A, who stated they had been close friends with Heeji Jini for a long time, said they began working after receiving a proposal from Heeji Jini in December 2012 to join as a creator for her Chinese-language channel.

However, A claimed that they were essentially responsible alone for the entire production and operation of the Chinese-language channel, including writing video scripts, translation, securing voice actors, directing dubbing, video editing, and uploading. A explained, “I was contracted with an annual salary of 20 million won, which later increased to 21 million won, but I worked up to 16 hours a day without separate overtime pay.”

A also claimed that the excessive workload led to health issues. A stated that they visited the emergency room in November 2018 due to shortness of breath during an overnight shift and were subsequently diagnosed with panic disorder, depression, and social anxiety.

The exposé continued with details about the workers’ compensation application process. A claimed that while the company initially said it would cooperate, it actually submitted a statement to the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service denying any connection between the work and the illness. During this process, Heeji Jini proposed that A refrain from applying for workers’ compensation in exchange for 4 million won of personal funds, but A refused. After an approximately one-year review period, A stated they received recognition as a work-related injury in January 2020.

Following the release of such exposé posts, changes were also detected on Heeji Jini’s YouTube channel, which has 4.13 million subscribers. The comment section for the most recently posted video is seeing heated exchanges with comments such as “Is the labor exploitation exposé true?”, “Isn’t a 20 million won annual salary too much?”, “It’s shocking because I’ve enjoyed this YouTuber since my child was young,” “It seems like a time when an explanation or rebuttal is needed,” and “Since neither side has stated their position yet, we should wait for Heeji Jini’s stance.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original