A YouTuber has ignited a firestorm by alleging they reported South Korean singer IU to the CIA.
On Wednesday, a video titled “I Reported IU to the CIA” was uploaded to a YouTube channel, sparking widespread debate in both the entertainment industry and on social media. The YouTuber stated, “Our beloved IU, known for her incredible talent and social activism, has been openly supporting those attending the impeachment rally in South Korea and even providing food to sustain the movement.”
The YouTuber went on to explain, “It seems she is mobilizing as many people as possible to support the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. To amplify her message, I felt it was my responsibility to report her activities to the CIA.” The individual also encouraged viewers to report other socially conscious Korean celebrities to the U.S. intelligence agency.
The YouTuber also shared a screenshot of an email allegedly sent to the CIA, which read, “IU is an incredibly influential figure in Korea. We believe the U.S. government should be concerned about the push for presidential impeachment in Korea.”
The controversy gained further traction following IU’s recent announcement on her official online fan community. She revealed that she had prepaid for food and hot packs for rally attendees. She wrote, “I’ve arranged for food and hand warmers, hoping to provide some comfort to the hands of my dear fans who are braving the cold weather with their light sticks to brighten the rally.”
The situation escalated after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol was approved, drawing even more attention on Saturday. A post surfaced online claiming that several celebrities who supported the impeachment rally had been reported to the CIA. The list allegedly included IU, the popular K-pop group NewJeans, singer Yoon Jong Shin, musicians Lee Seung Hwan and Yuri, actresses Go Min Si, Park Bo Young and Lee Dong Wook, as well as songwriter Kim Eana, among others.
Rumors began circulating that the CIA would permanently ban those on the list from entering the U.S. and prevent their children from studying abroad. However, these claims were quickly debunked. In 2018, South Korea’s JTBC reported that the CIA had never issued such a statement, and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul dismissed the rumors as baseless, categorizing them as fake news.
>> IU, Kwon Yuri and NewJeans Show Support With Thoughtful Gifts at Impeachment Protests
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