Garo Sero Institute to Face Reinvestigation Over Alleged Threats Against YouTuber Tzuyang
According to an exclusive report by Kyunghyang on April 14, the Garo Sero Institute will face a reinvestigation following an appeal filed by YouTuber Tzuyang’s side against a previous non-indictment decision by the police. The prosecution accepted the appeal and has ordered a new investigation.
The appeal, along with supporting materials, reveals that Garo Sero’s CEO Kim Se-ui released a recording during a livestream without the consent of the parties involved. The recording captured a discussion between other YouTubers, including Gu Jae-yeok and the so-called “Fabrication Detective,” about how to obtain personal information about Tzuyang and use it to demand money. Kim Se-ui continued to broadcast videos disclosing Tzuyang’s past and private life.
In July of last year, Tzuyang filed charges against Kim Se-ui for blackmail, coercion, and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act. She later revealed in a livestream that she had been a victim of dating violence, including four years of physical abuse, from her ex-boyfriend and former agency CEO, known as “A.” She also claimed that she was forced to work at a bar under his pressure, countering Garo Sero’s claims as false.
However, in February, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul decided not to forward the case. The police cited that Tzuyang had withdrawn some of her complaints and that there was insufficient evidence to prove criminal charges for stalking or coercion.
On March 14, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office requested the police to conduct a supplementary investigation into all five charges: blackmail, coercion, stalking, and violations of both the Stalking Punishment Act and the Information and Communications Network Act.
Tzuyang’s side also stated that secondary harm continues to occur. “The videos and posts uploaded by Gaseyeon last year are still ranking high on their YouTube channel. Tzuyang feels immense anxiety and fear knowing that a criminal case where she is the victim and details of her private life continue to be publicly discussed and broadcast,” her side shared.
A police official responded, “A supplementary investigation is currently underway. It’s difficult to disclose further details of the investigation.”
Tzuyang is expected to appear at the police station on April 16 for further questioning following the prosecution’s directive for reinvestigation.