Two women who blackmailed popular YouTuber Tzuyang (real name: Park Jung Won, age 28) and extorted over ₩216 million (approx. $160,000) have received suspended prison sentences in their first trial.
On August 20th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Koo Chang Kyu) held the first sentencing hearing for Ms. Kim (in her 30s) and Ms. Song (in her 20s), who were indicted on charges of joint blackmail under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts.
The court sentenced Song to 2 years in prison, suspended for 4 years, and Kim to 1 year and 6 months in prison, also suspended for 4 years. Both were ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and be placed under probation. Additionally, they were prohibited from contacting Tzuyang or approaching her residence or workplace.
The court stated, “The crime spanned a long period, and the amount extorted was significant, which makes the nature of the offense particularly serious. However, the defendants admitted their wrongdoing, apologized, repaid more than the total amount extorted, reached a settlement with the victim, and had no prior criminal records.”
Kim and Song were accused of blackmailing Tzuyang from June 2021 to November 2022, threatening to reveal details of her private life unless she paid them money—ultimately extorting ₩216 million. In 2023, Song attempted to demand an additional ₩15 million, but the attempt failed. The court noted, “Even after a settlement was reached for the previous blackmail, the defendant committed attempted blackmail again, which shows continued criminal intent.”
In a July 2023 YouTube video, Tzuyang revealed, “My former agency CEO (also my ex-boyfriend) told me two women were blackmailing me and suggested I pay them off with my own money. Over two years, I gave them ₩216 million.”
During the final trial session on July 18th, both defendants pleaded for leniency, stating, “We mistakenly thought the agency CEO was covering the payments, so we didn’t fully realize the gravity of our actions. We now deeply regret how much pain we caused the victim.”
SEE ALSO: Mukbang star Tzuyang resumes social media after 16-month hiatus
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