A popular South Korean TikTok creator was found dead shortly after ending a livestream.
On Sept. 11, Yoon Ji-ah was found dead on a mountainside in Muju County in the country’s North Jeolla Province, with bruises and signs of strangulation, according to The Chosun Daily.
Authorities believe she was attacked about 30 minutes after her final livestream, which had taken place on Yeongjong Island in Incheon, located more than three hours away from where her body was discovered.
The suspect, merely identified as a man in his 50s named “Choi,” was profiled during a segment on Seoul Broadcasting System’s Curious Story Y that aired last Friday (Oct. 3).
Per the Chosun Daily, Choi had introduced himself to Yoon Ji-ah as the CEO of an IT company, while allegedly leading a double life. Known online as “Black Cat,” he had reportedly built a reputation as a “big spending VIP” on video platforms and convinced Yoon to become his business partner.
Choi, who was reportedly in deep debt with his home being seized through a forced auction, had been said to have spent at least 100 million won, or about $70,000, on the influencer, per an industry insider.
The 24-year-old influencer, who had more than 300,000 followers on TikTok, allegedly cut ties with Choi over his “coercive instructions and unreasonable schedules.”
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Choi on his knees, supposedly pleading with her not to end their partnership.
The influencer’s family members later stated that cameras captured Choi “forcibly” stopping her from getting out of a vehicle around 3:27 p.m. on Sept. 11, before the door was slammed shut.
Her body was later found abandoned in a grassy area on the mountain, with an autopsy confirming her cause of death as asphyxiation due to neck compression.
The Chosun Daily also says Choi was seen carrying a suitcase toward the mountain, supposedly making several stops along the way in an attempt to mislead investigators.
Choi initially denied involvement when he was arrested on Sept. 13, but later confessed after learning Yoon Ji-ah’s body had been found. It’s not clear what specific charges Choi claimed to be guilty of.
Last month, Yoon Ji-ah’s family shared a message announcing her death on her TikTok account with a message written in Korean and English.
“Our precious Jia has left this world, and our hearts are broken beyond repair. She was a gentle sunrise, warming the coldest mornings. She was laughter carried on the wind, and the quiet comfort in a crowded room. Jia loved bread, reached out to every soul she met, cherished her family, and filled even ordinary moments with light,” read the statement.
“Now, the world feels a little dimmer without her radiant smile. Yet in every shared memory, in every echo of her kindness, her light still glows. To everyone who loved Jia, thank you for holding her in your hearts. As you remember her, please send your warmest wishes for her peace and joy in a place free from pain. Though Jia walks no longer beside us, her love and laughter will bloom forever within our hearts—like flowers that never fade. She will always be near, just as she dreamed. On behalf of Jia, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks once again. Thank you,” the statement concluded.