As of October 28, the comments section on a video featuring Hey Jini on Lee Ji-hye’s YouTube channel, “GwanjongUn-ni,” had been restricted. The video, titled “5-Million-Subscriber YouTuber Hey Jini! Exclusive Tour of Her Luxurious 56-Pyeong Home,” was uploaded on September 24. After allegations of labor exploitation involving Hey Jini emerged, the video reportedly received a wave of critical comments and demands for an explanation, prompting the production team to take action.
Previously, a former employee identified as A, who worked at Kidsworks, the company operated by Hey Jini, claimed that they earned an annual salary of 20 million won while working up to 16 hours a day, eventually developing panic disorder and depression. The former employee said the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service recognized the condition as an occupational injury in January 2020. A also alleged that Hey Jini had proposed paying 4 million won in exchange for not filing an occupational injury claim. Another former employee, identified as B, supported the allegations, claiming that the company abused its inclusive wage system and made unlimited unpaid overtime a routine practice.
In an official statement, Kidsworks denied interfering with the occupational injury claim, saying it had connected the employee with an independent certified labor attorney and provided guidance on the procedures. The company also claimed that the employee’s annual salary had been increased by 25% and that bonuses were paid even during leave. It pushed back against the allegations, stating, “Some of the information spreading online differs from the facts verified by our company.” In response, A disputed the company’s account, saying, “My annual salary when I joined the company was 20 million won, and it was increased to 21 million won only once during my employment. That was a 5% increase, not 25%.”
On October 27, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho released an audio recording of a phone conversation between Hey Jini and A. When Hey Jini asked about A’s health, A replied, “I’m not doing well. My depression has gotten worse, so I’ve been prescribed a lot of medication.” A then asked whether Hey Jini had included wording questioning whether A was genuinely ill because they frequently traveled overseas. Hey Jini answered, “Yes.”
Sources: Daum