Biography
Known to her millions of followers for her astonishing eating capacity showcased in “mukbang” (eating broadcast) videos, Park Jeong-won – the woman behind the Tzuyang channel – presents a fascinating paradox. Her petite frame belies an ability to consume quantities of food that leave restaurant owners and viewers alike in awe.
Since launching her main channel in late 2018, she has ascended to the upper echelons of YouTube stardom, amassing a subscriber base exceeding 11 million. Yet, her journey has been far from a simple tale of viral success. It is a complex narrative punctuated by explosive growth, significant public controversies that tested her career, remarkable resilience, and deeply personal struggles that have recently come to light, reflecting broader, often challenging, societal dynamics within South Korea.
Profile
Name: Tzuyang
Birth Name: Park Jung-won
Birthday: April 14, 1997
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Height: 162 cm (5’4″)
Instagram: @tzuyang70
Twitter: N/A
Career
Tzuyang’s foray into the world of internet broadcasting began in 2018. Her primary YouTube channel, ‘tzuyang쯔양’, was officially created on November 19 or 20 of that year. While she also gained prominence on AfreecaTV, winning awards there in 2019 , YouTube became the main stage for her burgeoning fame. However, a shadow hangs over this origin story; Tzuyang later claimed she was coerced into starting her YouTube channel by an abusive ex-boyfriend who sought to profit from her.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding its inception, the channel’s premise was clear: mukbang. Tzuyang’s content centers on consuming extraordinary quantities of food, often featuring unusual dishes or tackling immense food challenges. Videos showcase her eating feats like devouring 10 servings of pork, 40 servings of beef intestine, 120 plates of conveyor belt sushi, a 3kg steak, or taking on extreme spicy noodle challenges. This core content, combined with her seemingly paradoxical small stature , proved incredibly compelling. The visual contrast between her physique and her appetite created a sense of wonder and disbelief, forming a unique brand identity that quickly captured viewer interest and became a key factor in her viral appeal.
Her channel experienced explosive growth almost immediately. She hit 100,000 subscribers by January 28, 2019, a mere 12 days after reaching 10,000. By February 6, she had nearly 267,000 subscribers, and by April 27, she had surpassed 781,000. The coveted 1 million subscriber mark was crossed on June 4, 2019, less than seven months after her channel’s creation. The momentum continued: 2 million by February 2020, 2.5 million by June 2020, 3 million by early January 2021, 9 million by December 2023, and the significant 10 million milestone in June 2024. As of April 2025, her main channel boasts approximately 11.8 million subscribers and billions of views. This incredibly rapid ascent suggests her content perfectly tapped into the massive global appetite for mukbang, but her distinct persona and remarkable eating ability were crucial differentiators.
Tzuyang’s fame quickly transcended the boundaries of YouTube. She became a recognizable face on mainstream South Korean television, appearing as a fixed guest on MBC’s “My Little Television V2” and making appearances on popular shows like “What Do You Do?”, “Radio Star”, “Brother Knows” (Knowing Bros), and KBS1’s “Morning Yard”. This transition highlights a broader trend in South Korea where successful YouTubers are increasingly recognized as mainstream celebrities, blurring the lines between digital and traditional media stardom. Her status was further solidified by accolades, including the Rookie Award and Mukbang/Cookbang BJ Award at the 2019 AfreecaTV BJ Awards, and the Rookie Award in the Variety category at the 27th Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards in 2019.
Recognizing the global appeal of mukbang, Tzuyang expanded her reach internationally. Her channel features content filmed during travels to destinations like New York, Las Vegas, Hungary, Thailand, Indonesia, and Taiwan. An early trip to New York in 2019 included an invitation to Yankee Stadium by the MLB Secretariat and a notable visit to Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, where she consumed a four-person serving of steak, astonishing the staff. This international content creation represents a strategic move to engage a wider audience beyond Korea, capitalizing on the worldwide fascination with food-centric entertainment.
Controversies and Challenges
School Years Behavior
In 2019, a user claiming to be Tzuyang’s former classmate posted online accusations about her behavior in school, sparking controversy. Allegations included underage drinking and smoking, buying cigarettes for minors, being a school bully, and meeting older men through apps for money.
Tzuyang addressed the claims in a July 22 livestream. She admitted to smoking and drinking during high school but clarified she was legally 20 at the time due to repeating a year, so it wasn’t illegal. She explained the year-long gap was spent at an overseas volunteer school to build social skills. She denied bullying, saying she was actually a victim who transferred schools to escape harassment.
She also denied using dating apps for money and announced legal action. A photoshopped ID accusation was admitted, but she said it was never used to buy anything. Despite the backlash, public support grew, and her subscriber count continued to rise.
2020 Backdoor Advertisement Controversy and Forced Retirement
In August 2020, popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang became entangled in a “backdoor advertisement” (undeclared sponsored content) controversy after her name was mentioned in a livestream by creator Cham PD. Although her name came up, no direct evidence of illegal activities or tax evasion was presented. Nonetheless, public scrutiny intensified, especially after an earlier 2020 video of hers failed to clearly disclose a sponsorship, despite appearing to be a casual, personal vlog.
Tzuyang had previously acknowledged in January 2020 that she failed to label a few early videos as ads due to inexperience, but maintained that she never intentionally engaged in backdoor advertising. Following the controversy, she uploaded a video defending herself and clarifying that later ad videos had all been properly marked. However, mismanagement by her production team and confusion over communication worsened the situation. Negative public reaction and media misreporting, suggesting she quit due to being “caught,” led Tzuyang to announce her retirement from YouTube on August 6, 2020.
She later revealed that her agency had released statements without her consent and apologized to another creator (Hong Sound) for the miscommunication. Although she claimed she never intended to deceive viewers, she cited exhaustion from false accusations and online hate comments as reasons for stepping away. Even so, on November 20, 2020, Tzuyang announced her return via a video—drawing criticism for contradicting her previous declaration of “never returning.”
In July 2024, the full story emerged. Tzuyang disclosed that the original backdoor ad and retirement were not her decisions, but were forced upon her by her ex-boyfriend through threats and coercion using illegally recorded videos. She further claimed that her comeback was also planned and pressured by him. These revelations significantly shifted public perception, with many now viewing her as a victim of manipulation rather than a wrongdoer.
Following her return, Tzuyang regained popularity and financial success. However, she has continued to face challenges with online harassment and pressure from the public. She later spoke out emotionally on TV shows and livestreams about the toll this ordeal had taken on her mental health and career.
2024 Filipino Stereotype Incident
In January 2024, Tzuyang faced another wave of criticism, this time concerning cultural sensitivity. She featured comedian Kim Ji-young on her channel, portraying a character named “Nitung”. The character was depicted as a Filipino woman who married a Korean farmer, spoke in deliberately broken Korean, and expressed stereotypical K-drama fantasies.
While Kim Ji-young had portrayed this character previously on the domestic TV show “Gag Concert” apparently without major incident, its appearance on Tzuyang’s channel, with its massive international reach (over 9 million subscribers at the time ), sparked immediate backlash. Viewers, particularly from the Filipino community, condemned the portrayal as an offensive and racist caricature.
This incident starkly illustrated the challenges creators face when their content crosses cultural boundaries. What might be overlooked or differently interpreted in a purely domestic context can be deeply offensive to a global audience. It highlighted the responsibility accompanying a platform as large as Tzuyang’s. Responding to the criticism, Tzuyang quickly removed the video and issued a formal public apology in Tagalog, English, and Korean, acknowledging the unintentional pain caused. This swift response and multi-lingual apology perhaps indicated lessons learned from the 2020 scandal regarding proactive crisis management and the importance of maintaining goodwill with her international fanbase.
Allegations of Abuse, Extortion, and Blackmail
The most shocking and disturbing chapter in Tzuyang’s public life unfolded in July 2024. In emotional livestreams , she revealed that she had been a victim of severe dating violence, financial extortion, and blackmail by an ex-boyfriend over a period described as “years”. She alleged that this ex-boyfriend had physically abused her, specifically targeting her body to hide visible injuries , and had coerced her into starting her YouTube channel primarily for his financial gain. Her lawyers stated the extortion amounted to a staggering 4 billion won (approximately $3 million USD).
The situation was further complicated by the alleged involvement of other YouTubers, often referred to derogatorily as “cyber wreckers” in South Korea. Tzuyang accused specific individuals, including YouTuber GooJeYeok (real name Lee Jun-hee) , and potentially the ex-boyfriend’s lawyer , of using private information – allegedly supplied by the ex-boyfriend or his legal counsel – to threaten and extort her. These threats reportedly included exposing fabricated claims of tax fraud or revealing intimate details from her past relationship.
This deeply personal trauma becoming public spectacle illustrated the extreme vulnerability faced by online personalities. The alleged multi-year duration and systematic financial exploitation painted a picture of a coercive and controlling relationship hidden beneath the surface of her successful public image. The alleged involvement of fellow YouTubers pointed towards a potentially toxic ecosystem where creators might prey on each other, blurring the lines between gossip, journalism, and criminal acts like blackmail and extortion.
The legal proceedings took a tragic turn. Criminal cases initiated against the ex-boyfriend were ultimately closed following his death by suicide. This outcome prevented a conventional trial and resolution, leaving Tzuyang without the possibility of legal justice against her alleged primary abuser and creating a complex emotional and public situation. Legal actions against the alleged “cyber wreckers” were reported as ongoing, with arrests made and court orders issued for the deletion of certain videos containing Tzuyang’s private information. Tzuyang’s ordeal resonated with broader concerns about the rise in reported dating violence in South Korea and the harmful impact of malicious online commentary and “cyber wrecker” culture.
Public Controversies Outside of Broadcasting
Jungwon Bunsik Pricing Controversy (2024)
Tzuyang’s snack bar “Jungwon Bunsik” soft-launched near Isu Station and quickly faced backlash for offering small portions at high prices. A Dispatch article revealed menu items priced significantly above average, sparking online criticism. One controversial set cost 37,000 KRW. After criticism, the soft opening was delayed, and the menu was later adjusted. Tzuyang addressed the issue in a video, explaining portion sizes were misperceived due to deep bowls and promised changes.
Lawsuit Against Media Outlet (2020–2021)
Tzuyang sued a sushi restaurant for unauthorized use of her photo and demanded 50 million KRW in damages. The Aju Business Daily reported this, suggesting she was targeting small businesses. Tzuyang then filed a defamation lawsuit against the outlet but lost the first trial. The court ruled the article was not factually false. Her agency plans to appeal. The case sparked wider discussions about “publicity rights” and legal protections for celebrities.
Harassment Over Collaborations & Content
Tzuyang faced backlash for a collaboration video with controversial figure Kian84 and later, for posting seafood content during Japan’s Fukushima water discharge. Viewers accused her of political insensitivity and unsubscribed in protest.
Overcharging Incident in Tuna Mukbang (2019)
In a 2019 video, Tzuyang was charged 260,000 KRW for tuna sashimi, which many viewers—and industry insiders—claimed was worth only 60,000–100,000 KRW. Viewers criticized the restaurant for exploiting her, and the backlash led to changes in ownership and name.
Clarification on Sponsorships
Tzuyang has consistently stated that she does not accept sponsorships or ads for beauty or weight-loss products. Her video descriptions often include disclaimers to reinforce this policy.
Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy
Despite the challenges faced in her online career, Tzuyang has also ventured into other domains, leveraging her brand identity built around food.
She is the owner and operator of two restaurants located near Isu Station in Seoul’s Dongjak District: “Jeongwon Bunsik,” likely focusing on popular Korean snack foods (bunsik), and “Wonjo Tzwang Donkatsu,” specializing in pork cutlets. These ventures represent a strategic diversification beyond YouTube revenue streams like ad income and sponsorships, transforming her food-centric online brand into tangible offline businesses. This move could also stem from a personal passion for food service beyond performing mukbang.
Alongside her entrepreneurial activities, Tzuyang has engaged in notable philanthropic efforts. Reports indicate a 10 million KRW donation to the National Cancer Center in June 2019 to support low-income patients, regular monthly donations of 3 million KRW to the Sangnok Children’s Home, and a significant 200 million KRW donation to the international aid organization World Vision upon reaching the 10 million subscriber milestone (partially funded by channel sponsors). These charitable contributions project an image of social responsibility. While potentially reflecting genuine altruism, such actions also serve as positive public relations, which can be particularly valuable for a public figure who has weathered significant controversies, helping to counterbalance negative press and enhance her overall brand reputation.
Net Worth
Estimates of her earnings have varied widely over time. One report suggested a monthly income of around 60 million KRW back when she reached 1 million subscribers. Later speculation placed her potential monthly earnings at over 100 million KRW, translating to roughly 1.27 billion KRW per year from YouTube ad revenue alone. Contextually, the top 1% of YouTubers in South Korea were reported to earn an average of around 700 million KRW annually. Some sources even speculated about sponsorship fees reaching 100 million KRW for a single 15-minute video, highlighting the immense market value placed on top-tier influencers with her level of reach.
Crucially, the alleged extortion of 4 billion KRW by her ex-boyfriend throws significant uncertainty onto her actual retained earnings over the years. The substantial gap between potentially high gross income estimates and the lack of confirmed net wealth, combined with these serious allegations, strongly suggests that the outward appearance of financial success for influencers can be deceptive.
