YouTuber Kakwang Under Police Investigation Following Allegations of Abuse and Exploitation in Thailand

A prominent South Korean content creator known as Kakwang, who had approximately 470,000 YouTube subscribers, is facing serious allegations of abuse and financial exploitation following a livestreamed trip to Thailand. Police have reportedly launched an investigation into allegations that YouTuber Kakwang abused and financially exploited a female fan who accompanied him during a livestreamed trip to Thailand. The controversial incident stems from an internet live broadcast hosted by YouTuber Wakwang in Thailand last month (October), which showed scenes of him appearing to abuse a woman by breaking her crutches and forcing her to drink alcohol. Serious allegations have been raised that a YouTuber and some broadcasting figures collectively abused a woman in Thailand who is presumed to have an intellectual disability and financially exploited her. Shortly afterward, Wakwang's YouTube channel was deleted. The allegations surfaced publicly following a National Assembly audit where a parliamentarian presented evidence of the incidents. In a significant development on November 4, the attorney representing the alleged victim made a public statement calling for action. The author introduced himself as 'the lawyer who publicized the case of the group abuse of a woman suspected of having a disability in Thailand by YouTuber Wakwang's crew,' and wrote, 'While the police are currently investigating the case well, the perpetrator (Wakwang) is still completely denying the charges and is contacting the victim to groom, gaslight, and appease her.' Kakwang has denied all allegations. He said the woman had participated in the broadcasts voluntarily, had signed a contract beforehand and had agreed to the penalty rules and revenue-sharing arrangement. Kakwang apologized for not being more careful about the provocative nature of the content and promised to improve, but denied the abuse allegations. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine evidence and witness accounts.