Once-thriving YouTubers Haeji-ni and Park Wi pause channels amid controversies… Last upload dates reveal [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

YouTubers Haeji-ni (real name Kang Hye-jin) and Park Wi, who were once widely loved by the public and actively engaged in content creation, have halted their YouTube activities following a series of controversies. No new videos have been uploaded to either channel, each of which has become embroiled in separate disputes.

No new videos have been posted on Haeji-ni’s kids’ YouTube channel, “Haeji-ni,” since the 20th of last month. Her personal vlog channel, “Hyejinssu,” has also not released any additional content since the 24th of last month.

The slowdown in Haeji-ni’s YouTube activity is linked to allegations of labor exploitation surrounding her company, Kids Works.

Recently, A, who identified himself as a former employee of Kids Works, raised suspicions of labor exploitation, stating that he was diagnosed with panic disorder and depression after enduring an excessive workload at the company.

A claimed that although he began working in December 2012 after receiving an invitation to join as a creator for a Chinese-language channel, he was effectively responsible alone for virtually all aspects of channel production and operation, including writing video scripts, translation, securing voice actors, directing dubbing, video editing, and uploading.

A asserted that while his annual salary was initially contracted at 20 million won and later raised to 21 million won, he worked up to 16 hours a day without any separate overtime pay. He stated that in November 2018, he visited the emergency room due to shortness of breath during an overtime shift, after which he was diagnosed with panic disorder, depression, and social anxiety. He also claimed that while the company initially offered to assist him in filing for a work-related injury claim, it later adopted an attitude of suspicion toward his illness.

In response, Kids Works denied the allegations. The company rebutted by stating, “Content that differs from the facts has been amplified and spread, seriously damaging the reputation of our company and the individual involved.” Additionally, in a second statement released subsequently, the company re-emphasized that there had been two salary increases between 2017 and 2018, and that it had neither forced work nor obstructed the filing of a work-related injury claim.

Park Wi has also paused his YouTube activities following the controversy. No new videos have been uploaded to Park Wi’s YouTube channel since August 7.

On August 21, Park Wi posted a CCTV video on his YouTube channel showing him falling over with his wheelchair after tripping over the foot of a social service worker while disembarking from a KTX train. At the time, Park Wi stated, “The social service worker did not do it intentionally, but I was angry simply because he placed his foot on the ramp.” It was reported that the social service worker apologized to Park Wi immediately after the incident.

However, controversy spread after it became known that Park Wi had filmed himself reenacting the accident scene without leaving the site, and that he edited out scenes of employees apologizing while structuring the video primarily around his own perspective. As the controversy grew, the video was deleted.

Ultimately, Park Wi apologized, stating, “I failed to consider the position of the worker who did his best to help me and apologized politely.” He subsequently declared a pause in his YouTube activities and canceled scheduled lectures. He also voluntarily resigned from his role as a promotional ambassador for Seoul City.

Haeji-ni and Park Wi, each at the center of controversy for different reasons. With the YouTube channels of the two figures, who had been actively communicating with the public, now both on pause, attention is turning to whether they will be able to resume their activities in the future.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original