Hee-Jini, under suspicion of 'labor exploitation,' follows in the footsteps of Park Wi amid KTX controversy… A terrifying 'exhumation' test [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The controversy surrounding kids' content creator Hee-Jini is escalating as her past behavior in old videos is being re-examined following a former employee's allegations of labor exploitation. This mirrors the case of YouTuber Park Wi, whose past words and actions were "exhumed" after his own controversy.

Recently, Person A posted an exposé on an online community, revealing that they had been a long-time friend of Hee-Jini and a former employee at her company.

Person A stated that they began working in December 2012 after receiving a proposal to join as a creator for a Chinese-language channel. However, they claimed that in reality, they were essentially responsible alone for the entire production and operation of the channel, including writing video scripts, translation, voice actor recruitment, dubbing direction, video editing, and uploading.

Person A explained that after signing a contract with an annual salary of 20 million won, it was raised to 21 million won, but they worked up to 16 hours a day without separate overtime pay. They also claimed that in November 2018, they visited the emergency room due to shortness of breath during overtime work and were subsequently diagnosed with panic disorder, depression, and social anxiety.

In response, Hee-Jini's side explained, "There were no issues with the salary structure when she joined nine years ago, and we paid her annual salary accordingly. Contrary to what has been reported, we raised her salary by 25% afterward, and we also paid a separate bonus while she was on leave." They added, "In the early days of our company's founding, we operated by consulting with our colleague every time regarding the content and execution methods of their assigned duties. We granted broad autonomy over work schedules and performance methods. We allowed for adjustments to working hours or the option of remote work depending on the situation."

However, Person A's side refuted this by mentioning that the salary was raised from 20 million won to 21 million won, stating, "It is not a 25% increase, but a 5% increase."

Amidst this, past videos showing Hee-Jini seemingly engaging in 'abuse of power' by assigning private matters, such as childcare, to her employees are also drawing renewed attention.

Previously, a video titled "The day my dopamine peaked in 15-gall life (Making Jjapjeongseon, Company Picnic)" was uploaded to Hee-Jini's personal YouTube channel, 'Hyejinss.'

In the video, Hee-Jini went on a picnic to a park in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, with her daughter, son, and company employees. Upon spotting the employees, she said, "You should run over," and then naturally handed over a stroller, saying, "Push it, who's up for it?" A caption followed, reading, "It was convenient to naturally use Toss (a payment app) as soon as we met."

After arriving at the park, the employees were busy setting up picnic mats and taking care of Hee-Jini's two children. Hee-Jini filmed and watched them do so. Captions inserted in the video included "3 people responsible for setting up mats," "2 dedicated markers for Park Seung-yu (son)," and "1 dedicated marker for Park Chae-yu (daughter)." The phrase "I'm just spectating from afar, hehe~^^" was also added. The footage also showed a PD chasing after her son while other employees brought food.

The re-examination of such past videos is intertwined with the recent controversy surrounding YouTuber Park Wi. Park Wi has also faced criticism as his past words and actions in YouTube videos have been repeatedly highlighted following his controversy.

In August, Park Wi was involved in an accident while getting off a KTX train, where the wheel of his wheelchair caught on the foot of a social service worker who was assisting him, causing him to fall. Although he later released CCTV footage of the incident, criticism arose over the release of the video despite the fact that the social service worker had apologized immediately after the accident.

Ultimately, Park Wi apologized, stating, "I failed to consider the position of the staff member who apologized politely," and made the video private. He subsequently declared a suspension of his YouTube activities and voluntarily stepped down from his role as a Seoul city ambassador.

Following the controversy, past videos were also placed under scrutiny. Pointers emerged that he made remarks seemingly trivializing disability in a video featuring visually impaired YouTuber One-Shot Han-sol. Doubts were raised that actresses associated with his father, director Park Chan-hong, were called adopted daughters, and claims were made that his wife, Song Ji-eun, was being mistreated by her in-laws.

Recently, the "french fries video" also became a topic of discussion again. A short clip edited from a scene where Park Wi ordered a hamburger set at a drive-thru and said, "I should have asked for the french fries to be fried hot," while repeatedly exclaiming "Ah, damn!" spread across SNS and YouTube.

Subsequently, a scene where Park Wi made a joke to Yennyel, his wife Song Ji-eun's friend and CCM singer, suggesting that she had liked him in the past was also re-examined. When the other party showed little reaction, Park Wi was seen explaining, "I'm sorry," which further spread, leading to criticism that it was an inappropriate joke.

As such, cases continue to occur where, after a controversy erupts surrounding a famous creator, their past content and behavior are also subjected to re-verification.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original