Yoon Ji-ah was found dead in a mountainous area of Muju, North Jeolla Province on Sept 11. Photo: Yoon Ji-ah /TikTok
South Korean influencer Yoon Ji-ah, who had more than 300,000 followers online, was found dead in a mountainous area of Muju, North Jeolla Province on Sept 11.
Police have arrested a man in his 50s, identified only by his surname Choi, who was known to be her major financial supporter on a live-streaming platform.
South Korean police said the victim, in her 20s, was discovered with signs of severe assault on her face.
An autopsy later determined that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to neck compression.
Her estimated time of death was 3.27pm, less than 30 minutes after she ended her last live broadcast.
According to investigators, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed that the victim was “pulled back into her car against her will” shortly before the alleged crime took place.
The Chosun English news cited that cameras captured Yoon being "forcibly" prevented from exiting a car at around 3.27pm local time and the door of the vehicle was then slammed shut.
The suspect, Choi (alias), had initially introduced himself to Yoon as a social networking service (SNS) agent who promised to increase her follower count.
However, police later confirmed that he was a high-level financial supporter, commonly referred to as a Very Important Person (VIP) patron, on the platform where she streamed.
According to reports, Choi was ranked at level 46 on the platform, which indicated that he had already spent more than 100 million KRW (approximately RM 295,942.50).
Broadcasters said reaching level 50 status would require about 150 million KRW (about RM 444,429.60) in spending.
Although Choi claimed to be the chief executive officer of an IT company, investigations revealed that he was suffering serious financial distress.
His home had reportedly been auctioned off due to unpaid debts.
On the day before the incident, witnesses saw Choi kneeling before Yoon in what appeared to be a desperate plea.
Authorities believe that his deteriorating financial condition and obsessive attachment to the influencer may have contributed to the alleged crime.
Police said Choi initially denied involvement but later confessed after evidence was presented.
He was reported to have dragged a suitcase and stopped at multiple locations before the victim’s body was found, possibly to mislead investigators.
The case has triggered widespread outrage in South Korea and abroad, prompting discussions about the risks faced by influencers and the blurred boundaries between creators and their high-spending supporters.
Social media users reacted with anger and disbelief, with many posting messages such as, “How can someone who gives so much money become so dangerous?” and “This is the dark side of the influencer economy that no one talks about.”
Others commented, “She must have felt trapped. I hope justice is served swiftly.”
The hashtags #JusticeForYoonJiAh and #InfluencerSafety have since trended across major platforms.
Yoon’s family has not issued an official public statement beyond confirming the details shared with police.
The investigation remains ongoing and authorities said further details will be revealed after the suspect’s formal indictment.
The case continues to raise concerns about the safety of content creators, especially those reliant on VIP patrons whose financial influence can blur professional and personal boundaries. – Sinar Daily
