Mukbang YouTuber Sanghaegi Shuts Down Social Media Amidst DUI Hit-and-Run Allegations

Mukbang YouTuber Sanghaegi (real name Kwon Sang-hyeok) is facing serious allegations of driving under the influence and attempting to flee the scene. The controversy has led to the sudden closure of his social media accounts.

On the 23rd, the Seoul Songpa Police Station announced that they have arrested a man in his 30s, identified as 'A,' on charges of refusing a breathalyzer test. According to the police, 'A' was caught driving under the influence early on the 21st. He reportedly ignored police orders to stop and attempted to evade capture, eventually abandoning his vehicle on a street in Songpa District before being apprehended.

Investigations revealed that 'A' is a popular YouTuber with over 1.65 million subscribers. Speculation arose, and based on the description of a male YouTuber in his 30s with a large following, Sanghaegi was identified as the individual. His social media accounts were flooded with comments demanding an explanation. His YouTube channel also saw a significant drop of 10,000 subscribers in just one day, reflecting public disappointment.

In response to the escalating situation, Sanghaegi abruptly deactivated his social media accounts, which had approximately 410,000 followers, without issuing any official statement. Adding to the mystery, his YouTube channel, which typically featured uploads on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, failed to release a new video on the 23rd, the day the allegations surfaced.

Sanghaegi initially began his broadcasting career in 2018 under the name 'BJ Hyeok-i' on AfreecaTV before transitioning to YouTube in 2019. He is a former career soldier who later worked as a personal trainer. Despite his mukbang content, he garnered attention for his disciplined physique management. He also participated in Seoul Fashion Week in 2019.