YouTuber KwakTube (real name Kwak Jun-bin) is facing intense backlash for his insincere apology regarding the controversial "proxy forgiveness" involving actress Lee Na-eun.
On the 16th, KwakTube posted a video titled "My Romantic Week in Italy" on his YouTube channel, featuring his trip to Rome with Lee Na-eun, a former member of the girl group APRIL. During a meal, he casually referenced Lee's past controversies, igniting criticism. Despite being a victim of school violence and gaining public sympathy through tearful confessions on shows like 'You Quiz on the Block', his remarks about Lee, who has been accused of bullying allegations, were widely seen as hypocritical.
The situation escalated when KwakTube stated that he had previously blocked Lee on Instagram due to her bullying allegations but unblocked her after reading that she was innocent. Lee expressed her sadness over being misunderstood and blocked by people, while KwakTube echoed her sentiments, suggesting his intention was to support her amidst the confusion. However, the optics of a victim defending an alleged bully has drawn significant ire from the public.
This backlash is compounded by the fact that KwakTube recently rose to fame after sharing his own traumatic experiences and amassed over 2 million subscribers. His contradictory behavior, particularly in light of the fact that he had publicly condemned bullying, has left many feeling betrayed, resulting in a rapid decline of subscribers and criticism of his past anti-bullying campaigns. Furthermore, his recent comments have sparked debates about the nature of accountability and victimhood in cases of bullying.
Online reactions include incredulity over KwakTube's apparent lack of understanding towards the serious implications of his words and actions. Critics suggest that his apology was tone-deaf and lacked accountability, with some highlighting the irony of a bullying victim appearing to aid in the rehabilitation of an alleged perpetrator's image. This situation continues to unfold, raising critical questions about the interplay of fame, social responsibility, and the realities faced by victims of bullying in Korea.