Ho-young's YouTube to Take Legal Action Against Malicious Comments Targeting Gugak Girls

YouTube content featuring musical actor Kim Ho-young has become embroiled in an unexpected controversy. During a process of having pleasant conversations with citizens, students majoring in traditional Korean music captured on camera were exposed to inappropriate comments from some netizens. Ultimately, the production team apologized to the students and their parents, moved to delete the relevant video, and even announced legal action against those who distribute the video without permission and write malicious comments. Concerns are growing as an interview that should have remained a pleasant memory has escalated into a situation that inflicts wounds on the participating students.

The production team of the YouTube channel that produces content with Kim Ho-young announced their position through a bulletin board on the 10th. The production team conveyed the atmosphere at the time of filming, stating, "The gugak girls responded to the interview with bright and cheerful appearances, and we also captured those beautiful moments in the video." However, they explained that after the video was released, it was confirmed that some accounts were distributing the content without permission and posting inappropriate comments toward the students appearing in the video.

Above all, the production team expressed sadness over the wounds the students might have suffered. They apologized, saying, "We are sincerely sorry to the students and parents who may have been hurt by these comments," and "Our hearts are very heavy and sorrowful that a moment that should have remained a joyful and good memory has become a source of hurt and pain for someone." This implies they feel a sense of responsibility for the students being exposed to unexpected online attacks despite responding to the interview with good intentions.

The production team has also begun measures to prevent further damage. They decided to delete all interview parts where the students appear and plan to switch the entire video to private until the relevant work is completed. This means they will not stop at simply deleting the problematic comments, but will respond so that the video itself containing the students' appearances no longer spreads.

They also made the possibility of legal action clear. The production team stated that they are securing relevant data regarding acts of distributing the channel's videos without permission or writing malicious and inappropriate comments toward the participating students. They followed this with a warning that they will proceed with platform reports and necessary legal measures. This is interpreted as emphasizing that even if the acts occurred in an online space, they cannot be overlooked lightly if the victims are underage students.

This controversy originated from content where Kim Ho-young visited a new cafe in Jamsil, Seoul, to converse with citizens. At that time, students majoring in geomungo, haegeum, and others from National Gugak Middle School appeared in the interview. The students participated in the filming with bright and cheerful appearances, but the situation changed as unauthorized distribution by some accounts and inappropriate comments followed after the video was released. The production team expressed regret that the joyful experience the students should have gained through their appearance turned into online attacks.

With this incident, the responsibility to protect minors appearing in public content and the issues of online comment culture have been highlighted again. While it is an environment where anyone can watch videos and leave opinions, that freedom does not justify malicious evaluations and ridicule targeting the appearance or behavior of the participants. In particular, since students may find it difficult to sufficiently prepare for public evaluation and online spread, careful attention is required from both the production team and viewers.

The production team of Kim Ho-young's side is in a position to block additional damage through video deletion and private measures, while pursuing reports and legal action against unauthorized distribution and malicious comments. It remains to be seen whether this matter will end as a simple online controversy or lead to actual legal action. However, it is pointed out that protecting the interview, which the students participated in with courage, so that it does not remain as a wound, must be prioritized above all else.

Read the original (Korean)