In a surprising turn of events, social media influencer and creator KwakTube (Kwak Jun-bin) faced backlash after defending actress Lee Na-eun, linked to school bullying allegations from her time in the K-pop group APRIL.
KwakTube shared a travel vlog titled “A Romantic Week in Italy,” featuring his time with Lee Na-eun. During their trip, he discussed her past controversies, expressing regret for blocking her previously due to misunderstandings surrounding the bullying allegations. This disclosure stirred debate, especially from those questioning why a bullying victim would support someone accused of being a perpetrator.
After receiving criticism, KwakTube promptly made the video private and issued an apology, stating that he failed to consider the broader implications of his content on audiences. He emphasized the need to be more mindful in the future regarding the messages conveyed through his work. This unfortunate situation caught the attention of the Korean Ministry of Education.
Following the controversy, the Ministry decided to make a school violence prevention campaign video featuring KwakTube private, showing the impact of the backlash. A netizen also called for reconsideration of KwakTube's participation in an upcoming travel talk concert in Busan, arguing it would be inappropriate for him to continue amidst the mounting controversies. The situation has sparked discussions about accountability in the entertainment industry and the complexities of public engagement.