Park Wi, Controversy Over Mocking Disabilities and KTX Accident Video Leads to 60,000 Subscriber Loss

Creator Park Wi has stopped activities on the YouTube channel ’WERACLE’ for about two months, during which the number of subscribers decreased to around 930,000. As of the 12th, the subscriber count for ’WERACLE’ was approximately 939,000. This represents a drop of more than 60,000 subscribers in less than two months compared to maintaining 1 million subscribers until August. On August 24, the subscriber count was recorded at 998,000. Park Wi’s suspension of activities was triggered by a KTX accident video released in August. Park Wi revealed that while getting off the KTX, his wheelchair got caught on the foot of a social service worker who was helping him, causing him to fall, and he shared CCTV footage. Despite the social service worker apologizing at the scene, criticism arose over posting the video on a channel with 1 million subscribers. Park Wi later deleted the video and apologized, saying, ″I did not consider the position of the worker. My way of conveying it was immature and thoughtless.″ No new videos have been uploaded since. After the controversy, past videos also gained renewed attention. Last month, a video filmed in 2022 with visually impaired creator ’OneShot Hansol’ was criticized for remarks and actions that were seen as mocking the other person’s disability. The 2024 video titled ″First Chuseok at the In-Law’s House!″ was also mentioned. The video featured actress Yoon So-hee, known as the adopted daughter of Park Wi’s father, director Park Chan-hong. Some netizens claimed that Park Wi’s family cared more for Yoon So-hee than his wife Song Ji-eun, but others argued that it is difficult to conclude based on only part of the video. As criticism extended to Yoon So-hee’s personal account, voices called for stopping attacks on third parties. A video from about three years ago, in which Park Wi called 119 for pressure sore treatment, has also been shared again. Park Wi showed himself being moved face down with the help of paramedics, explaining that the wound was severe and required emergency care. Recently, some netizens questioned the appropriateness of calling 119, filming the dispatch scene, and product advertisements in follow-up videos. However, counterarguments were raised that it is inappropriate to judge solely based on the video due to insufficient information about the patient’s condition. Park Wi became known after being diagnosed with complete paralysis following a fall from a building in 2014, sharing his rehabilitation process and daily life on his channel. In 2024, he married Song Ji-eun, formerly of the group Secret.