The Third Cheongryong Series Awards red carpet event took place on July 19 at Paradise City in Incheon, marking a significant celebration of original streaming series in South Korea.
Hosted by Jeon Hyun-moo and Lim Yoona for the third consecutive year, the event recognizes the best in streaming entertainment. Controversy arose when travel creator and broadcaster Kwak Tube (real name Kwak Jun-bin) made comments seemingly defending actress Lee Na-eun amid allegations of bullying. Amid the backlash, he posted an apology on his YouTube community, expressing remorse for the distress caused by his remarks.
Kwak Tube admitted to feeling overwhelmed when he initially set his video to private, stating he was too frightened to respond appropriately. After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he reflected on the comments made by viewers. He acknowledged his ignorance and recklessness regarding the situation and expressed a sincere desire to address the misunderstanding around Lee Na-eun.
In his statement, Kwak Tube shared that despite being a victim of school bullying himself, he recognized his previous assumption about Lee Na-eun as unfounded. He apologized for any additional hurt his comments may have caused to those affected by bullying. He vowed to be more mindful of his words and actions in the future, emphasizing a commitment to acting with greater responsibility.
As the conversation around mental health and the impact of words continues, Kwak Tube’s experience serves as a reminder of the sensitivity required in addressing such topics within the entertainment industry.