With 'Wircle' Park Wi coming under fire for targeting social service workers (public service workers), he also lost his 1 million YouTuber title. Lectures have also been canceled, suggesting the extent of the fallout.
According to YouTube channel analytics site SocialBlade on the 24th, the YouTube channel 'Wircle' operated by Park Wi lost 2,000 subscribers and currently has 998,000 subscribers.
As of the 22nd, 'Wircle,' which had 1 million subscribers, lost 2,000 subscribers in one day. With this, Park Wi and 'Wircle' lost the 1 million YouTuber title. Depending on future moves they could regain 1 million subscribers, but with the controversy ongoing it does not look easy.
Also, OSEN confirmed that the 'Barrier Reef performance' talk concert by Wircle's Park Wi scheduled for 7 p.m. on the 28th and the 'Insight special lecture — Wircle Factory Park Wi invited lecture' scheduled for Thursday the 27th were also canceled.
On the 21st Park Wi posted a video on his YouTube channel saying he fell while using the KTX for a lecture. The video showed Park Wi using a wheelchair ramp when disembarking from the train, and a wheelchair wheel caught on the foot of a social service worker who had placed their foot to secure the ramp, causing him to fall to the floor.
The social service worker politely apologized to Park Wi immediately after the accident, but Park Wi, who uploaded CCTV footage showing the social service worker and the scene of the accident to YouTube, expressed his anger. He pointed out that depending on the degree of disability some people cannot support themselves with their arms at the moment of falling and said, "A single mistake can lead to a major accident."
After the video was released, criticism poured in as people noted he had been apologized to at the scene, that the social service worker did not deliberately trip him, and that releasing the CCTV was rash. Park Wi immediately deleted the video and apologized, saying, "I took the mistake that occurred in the process meant to help me more negatively. My way of communicating was immature and my thinking was short. I apologize to everyone who worked hard on the scene."
Despite Park Wi's apology, criticism continues. From the events leading to his disability to his wife Song Ji-eun and the congratulatory speech by his younger sibling at their wedding, past issues have been brought up again and become targets of criticism. In particular, malicious comments have been posted on Song Ji-eun's social media, among other excessive reactions.
[OSEN]