YouTuber Sanghaegi Under Fire for DUI Evasion and Past Offenses
Popular YouTuber Sanghaegi (real name Kwon Sang-hyuk), known for his channel with 1.65 million subscribers, is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of drunk driving evasion. To make matters worse, reports have surfaced suggesting this is not his first offense related to drunk driving.
On the 23rd, the Seoul Songpa Police Station announced the arrest of a man in his 30s, identified as 'A', on charges of refusing a breathalyzer test. According to police, 'A' was driving in Gangnam-gu early on the 21st when he was reported for suspected drunk driving. Despite multiple requests from officers who arrived at the scene, 'A' refused to comply with breathalyzer tests. He attempted to flee after ignoring police orders to stop, eventually pulling over on a road in Songpa-gu and trying to escape on foot, but was apprehended shortly after.
Netizens quickly speculated that 'A' was Sanghaegi, citing the description of a male YouTuber in his 30s with 1.65 million subscribers. Sanghaegi is famous for his mukbang (eating broadcast) content, featuring realistic sounds and challenges. He previously served as a professional soldier before becoming a trainer in Gangnam and gained attention for maintaining a good physique despite his heavy eating habits.
Following the accusations, Sanghaegi deleted his social media accounts without issuing any official statement, further fueling the controversy. This silence came as a shock, especially since he had been actively posting sponsored content and new videos on his YouTube channel just before the news broke. Many fans expressed betrayal, with some initiating a 'subscribe cancellation' movement, leading to approximately 10,000 unsubscribers in a single day.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, police confirmed on the 24th that 'A' had a prior conviction for drunk driving. Under South Korea's Road Traffic Act, repeat offenders within 10 years of a previous drunk driving conviction face heavier penalties.
Sanghaegi remains silent for the third day since deleting his social media presence. The police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact amount of alcohol consumed and the sequence of events.
Kwon Sang-hyuk, widely known as Sanghaegi, rose to fame with his mukbang content, particularly his 'real sound' eating videos and various challenges. His background as a former professional soldier and personal trainer in Gangnam sets him apart in the YouTube community. He is noted for his disciplined physique, a stark contrast to the large volumes of food he consumes on camera.