A duo accused of kidnapping and attempting to murder gaming YouTuber Sutak―who has roughly 1 million subscribers―has been taken into custody, and a grim update from his legal team shows the creator suffered severe facial fractures and head injuries in the attack.
On Oct. 30, JTBC’s news program “Crime Chief” relayed a detailed medical update through Sutak’s attorney. According to the report, the creator was beaten in the face with fists and a blunt object and strangled by two suspects―identified by police only as A, a man in his 30s who works as a used-car dealer, and B, an accomplice in his 20s. He sustained facial fractures, extensive contusions to the head, and additional fractures.
“Case Chief” said Sutak is currently hospitalized and in no condition to give interviews. Even with heavy blurring, images aired on the program showed significant injuries to his ear and face, drawing widespread concern.
Police say the assault occurred around 10:40 p.m. on Oct. 26 in an underground parking lot in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, where Sutak was attacked and forced into a vehicle. The broadcaster reported that when Sutak arrived, B was allegedly hiding in the back seat―masked, hood up, and wearing work gloves. Sensing something was off, Sutak alerted authorities, allowing police to track the car. After inflicting serious injuries, the suspects allegedly drove roughly 200 kilometers to Geumsan County in South Chungcheong Province, demanding money and issuing death threats along the way.
The incident traces back to a vehicle deal gone wrong. Two years ago, suspect A reportedly approached Sutak by email to establish a car-buying relationship. The car was never delivered, yet traffic fine notices continued arriving in Sutak’s name, prompting him to demand a refund―tensions that allegedly escalated into the attack.
Incheon Yeonsu Police have been investigating A and B on charges including attempted murder and joint unlawful confinement. Judge Yoo Aram of the Incheon District Court issued arrest warrants, citing flight risk, the danger of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the harm.
Meanwhile, a YouTube channel believed to have been operated by A was deleted within hours of the broadcast. With A now detained, observers suspect an associate may have taken down the account to wipe traces connected to the case.
The investigation is ongoing.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)