Two women who extorted over 216 million KRW from YouTuber Tzuyang (Park Jung-won, 28) have been handed suspended prison sentences in the first trial.

Court Ruling Details

The Seoul Central District Court (Criminal Division 12, Judge Koo Chang-kyu) held the first-instance sentencing for 30-year-old Kim and 20-year-old Song, charged with joint extortion under the Act on Punishment of Violence. Song received a two-year prison term with a four-year suspension, while Kim was sentenced to one year and six months with a four-year suspension.

Both were also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and undergo probation. The court prohibited them from contacting Tzuyang or approaching her residence or workplace.

Court Considerations

The court acknowledged the severity of the crime, noting the prolonged period and large extorted amount, but took into account that the defendants admitted responsibility, apologized, repaid amounts exceeding the extortion, reached a settlement with the victim, and were first-time offenders.

Case Background

Kim and Song allegedly threatened Tzuyang from June 2021 to November 2022, extorting a total of 216 million KRW by threatening to reveal private matters. Song additionally attempted to demand 15 million KRW in 2023, though this was unsuccessful. The court noted that despite a prior settlement ending the joint extortion, Song committed an attempted extortion again.

Tzuyang had revealed on YouTube in July last year that her former agency CEO (also her ex-boyfriend) had paid the women to keep them quiet, totaling 216 million KRW over two years. During the final hearing on July 18, the defendants pleaded for leniency, stating they lacked guilt initially, believing the agency was covering the payments, and expressed deep remorse for the harm caused to the victim.