Controversy Surrounds YouTuber Wonji's 'Basement Office' as Comedian Kang Yumi's Video Resurfaces

Travel creator Wonji (real name Lee Wonji) finds herself at the center of a controversy over her so-called 'basement office,' while a video by comedian Kang Yumi from four years ago is gaining renewed attention.

Kang Yumi's video, released in 2021, has recently attracted significant interest. In the video, Kang portrays a character who is a 'small business employee' on their last day at work. The video has resurfaced following Wonji's release of her '6-pyeong office' video on September 20, which sparked allegations of employee mistreatment.

Kang Yumi's depiction of working in a cramped, windowless space in a basement-level building has drawn comparisons to the controversial office environment shown in Wonji's video. This has led to the video being dubbed a 'pilgrimage video' among viewers.

Comments on Kang Yumi's YouTube video include reactions such as, "At first, I laughed at the absurdity, but after seeing Wonji's office controversy, I was shocked to realize it's reality," "This is the real-life version of Wonji's company," and "I've come on a pilgrimage."

Following the controversy, Wonji's YouTube subscriber count dropped by 30,000, falling below the '1 million subscribers' mark, just 12 days after the video's release. The video depicted a basement-level, windowless office space of about 6 pyeong, where three to four employees worked without visible ventilation systems, leading to public criticism of potential employee exploitation.

As criticism mounted, Wonji made the video private, admitting, "There was inexperience as it was my first office." She further explained, "The building's overall ventilation system wasn't adequately conveyed in the video, leading to misunderstandings, so I had to make it private." She added, "I judged that the lack of windows wouldn't be a significant issue when signing the lease."

Despite her apology, the controversy has not subsided. Her actions contradicted her previous statements on the importance of ventilation, causing her to lose public support. In a subsequent apology, she acknowledged, "I should have prioritized the working environment and welfare," admitting her oversight as an employer. She also expressed embarrassment at the thought that she might have demanded sacrifices from her employees if they hadn't pointed out the issues, and promised to move to a larger office space.

By Min-Kyung Lee, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr