Lee Jin Ho Profile – From Entertainment Reporter to Controversial YouTube “President”
Lee Jin Ho, born in 1981, is a prominent and polarizing figure in South Korea’s media scene. With a solid foundation in entertainment journalism, he previously worked for well-respected outlets such as Sports Chosun and the CJ E&M enews24 broadcasting team. Before transitioning to digital content, he had amassed over 15 years of experience as a freelance entertainment reporter.
From Print to Digital – The YouTube Era
On September 29, 2012, Lee Jin Ho launched his YouTube channel titled 연예 뒤통령이진호 (Entertainment President Lee Jin Ho), commonly known by the handle @Behind_Master. The channel quickly drew public attention and now boasts over 620,000 subscribers.
With the slogan “먼지나게 터는 연예뒤통령 이진호” (roughly translated as “Entertainment President Lee Jin Ho, digging up all the dust”), his channel positions itself as an exposé-style platform. His content delves into controversial and sensitive topics within the Korean entertainment industry, including celebrity scandals, contract disputes, private lives, and behind-the-scenes conflicts.
Lee Jin Ho often presents his videos as the result of exclusive investigations, using or claiming to possess material such as voice recordings, text messages, or direct interviews. His tone is direct and analytical, sometimes reaching out to those involved in his stories to confront them directly.
“Cyber Wrecker” or Digital Journalist?
Lee Jin Ho’s YouTube career has not been free of controversy. He has been labeled a “cyber wrecker” a Korean term for content creators who exploit sensational, often unverified stories for views. Public opinion is sharply divided: while some see him as a whistleblower, others condemn him for spreading misinformation and causing harm.
Major Scandals and Public Backlash
The Kim Sae Ron Case:
One of the most damaging incidents in his career involved the late actress Kim Sae Ron. Lee Jin Ho released a series of videos on her DUI case and personal life, including unverified claims about marriage and pregnancy. Kim Sae Ron’s family accused his content of exacerbating her mental health struggles, ultimately contributing to her tragic death. This led to legal action against him for defamation and stalking. Though Lee defended his intentions, claiming he was trying to help her comeback, public backlash forced him to delete or privatize the related videos. The case became so prominent that it sparked national debate and even parliamentary discussions about regulating “cyber wreckers.”
Other Notable Cases:
Lee Jin Ho also played a major role in magnifying the privacy scandal surrounding actor Kim Seon-ho, heavily sided with Attrakt in the FIFTY FIFTY contract dispute, and defended HYBE in its feud with Min Hee-jin/NewJeans — even accusing another journalist of fabricating reports. He frequently comments on bullying accusations, legal battles, and the personal lives of celebrities, drawing repeated criticism for perceived bias or sensationalism.
Certainly, here is the English translation of the “Summary Table of Main Controversies Related to Lee Jin Ho’s Reporting”:
Summary Table of Main Controversies Related to Lee Jin Ho’s Reporting:
| Controversy/Case | Lee Jin Ho’s Main Role/Claims (Based on sources) | Main Criticisms/Outcomes |
| Kim Sae Ron (Post-DUI & Death) | Reported on DUI, private life (marriage, pregnancy), criticized lack of response; claimed video caused suicide attempt (refuted); defended actions as not malicious, aimed at helping. | Accused by family of causing distress, contributing to death; Sued for defamation, stalking; Temporary injunction; Intense public criticism; Parliamentary discussion on “cyber wreckers”. |
| Kim Seon-ho Privacy Dispute | Identified as having “significantly expanded” the controversy between the actor and ex-girlfriend. | Amplified a private matter into a major public scandal. |
| FIFTY FIFTY Contract Dispute | Released numerous recordings, interviews; extensive reporting appeared to favor agency Attrakt. | Criticized by Jeff Benjamin (Billboard) for spreading potentially fabricated stories; Accused of bias. |
| HYBE/NewJeans vs. Journalist J | Accused Journalist J of fabricating claims HYBE disparaged NewJeans; presented recordings defending HYBE; suggested J had personal motives. | Took HYBE’s side in a public dispute. |
| GFRIEND Contract Termination | Claimed some members refused contract renewal, wanted to leave the industry. | Criticized for company bias, contradicting members’ later activities. |
| Park Soo-hong Embezzlement Case | Reported in defense of Park Soo-hong, revealing information detrimental to relatives’ side. | Took Park Soo-hong’s side in a family dispute. |
| Choi Min-hwan/Yulhee Divorce | Posted video criticizing Yulhee with allegedly biased and inaccurate information. | Widely criticized for biased reporting against Yulhee. |
| Other Cases (Choi Sung-bong, APRIL, OMEGA X, etc.) | Reported on allegations (fake cancer, bullying, assault), often presenting own perspective or evidence. | Accusations of bias, sometimes siding with companies, sometimes against other YouTubers’ claims. |
The Digital Media Phenomenon
Despite criticism and legal battles, Lee Jin Ho remains active and maintains a strong following. He represents a new form of media figure — one that blurs the lines between investigative journalism and digital sensationalism. In the YouTube era, where clicks often outweigh ethics, figures like Lee Jin Ho raise important questions about responsibility, credibility, and the human cost of viral content.