Juice Seyeon Launches New Streaming Show Amid Drug Investigation, Earns $90,000 in One Day
South Korean internet personality Juice Seyeon has launched a new streaming program while she remains under police investigation over alleged violations of the country’s drug control laws.
Juice Seyeon, whose real name is In Se-yeon, unveiled her new online show “Rookie Academy” during a YouTube live broadcast on October 1. She is taking on both the role of the main host and a representative of the program.
During the first broadcast, Juice Seyeon introduced herself as the show’s main MC and said she was also serving as its representative. The program had reportedly been postponed once from its original schedule.
“We had to postpone one episode, so we ended up doing it on Thursday,” she explained, adding that the extra preparation time allowed the team to make the debut even more exciting.
The premiere quickly attracted significant attention from viewers. More than 20,000 people reportedly watched the livestream simultaneously at one point.
According to online broadcasting revenue-tracking site Pungtu Day, the broadcast generated approximately 120 million won, or around $90,000, in revenue in just one day.
The strong financial performance comes as Juice Seyeon continues to face scrutiny over an ongoing police investigation.
She and her boyfriend, BJ K, whose real name is Park Jung-gyu, were reportedly booked in July in connection with allegations involving controlled substances. Police have been investigating circumstances surrounding the use of prescription sleeping medication.
Juice Seyeon’s legal representatives have denied several of the allegations. Last month, her attorneys stated that she had neither requested nor participated in obtaining sleeping medication through someone else and firmly denied illegally possessing or using drugs or cannabis.
Her legal team also explained that she had been hospitalized after taking sleeping medication containing zolpidem that was allegedly in the possession of her partner during a conflict between the couple.
Meanwhile, “Rookie Academy” follows a format popular in South Korea’s livestreaming scene. Multiple performers interact with viewers, participate in dance and reaction segments, and receive real-time financial support from their audience.
The show’s ranking system is also tied to viewer donations, with performers receiving different rankings, titles and compensation depending on their sponsorship performance.
Despite the controversy surrounding its host, the debut of “Rookie Academy” has already demonstrated the strong commercial power of Juice Seyeon’s online fan base.