Famous Kpop Idol Blackmailed For Over Half A Million Dollar By A Streamer, He Files Lawsuit
A woman BJ/Streamer (broadcast jockey) has been issued an arrest warrant for extorting over 800 million won (approximately $600,000) from singer and musical actor Kim Junsu through threats.
On the 15th of November, Munhwa Ilbo reported, citing judicial authorities, that the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency applied for an arrest warrant on November 13 for BJ A under charges of blackmail in violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. A is accused of threatening Kim Junsu and extorting approximately 840 million KRW over 101 instances between September 2020 and last month.
According to the investigation, A became acquainted with Kim Junsu in 2019 and recorded conversations and intimate audio, using threats to release the recordings as leverage to demand money. In return for preventing the spread of the recordings, A allegedly received payments. A is also currently undergoing trial for a separate drug-related case and is reportedly involved in another investigation.
Later, Kim Junsu’s agency, Palm Tree Island, released an official statement addressing the reports of his victimization in an extortion scheme.
The agency explained, “As reported, A illegally recorded conversations with Kim Junsu and used these to threaten him, stating they would distribute the recordings on social media. They justified their actions by saying, ‘Even though I know Kim Junsu did nothing wrong, just one false article about a celebrity can destroy their image, and Kim Junsu already can’t appear on broadcasts, so his reputation will never recover. On the other hand, I have nothing to lose.'”
The statement continued, “A exploited Kim Junsu’s celebrity status and the public’s perception to continue their extortion, even while acknowledging that Kim Junsu had done nothing wrong. This person leveraged his position as a public figure to carry out malicious actions without ceasing.”
The agency emphasized, “We want to make it clear that Kim Junsu is the undeniable victim in this case. Upon realizing that there are other victims of A’s blackmail scheme, Kim Junsu resolved to take legal action to prevent further harm. As this case is currently in the warrant review stage, we ask for your understanding that we cannot provide more detailed information at this time. Once investigations and trials are concluded, we will issue an additional statement.”
Palm Tree Island added, “We hope this case raises awareness of how grave and malicious acts of blackmail and extortion are. We will continue to respond strongly and without compromise. Finally, we reiterate that Kim Junsu has not committed any illegal or unlawful acts in connection with this case and is unequivocally the victim.”
Meanwhile, Kim Junsu, who left TVXQ and continued his career with JYJ alongside Kim Jaejoong, recently held a joint concert with him. He is set to perform in the new musical Aladdin starting on November 22.
