Netflix has announced that it is withholding the prize money from the South Korean reality competition series The Influencer after the winner leaked the results earlier this year.
The show featured 77 South Korean influencers from platforms like YouTube, Instagram, AfreecaTV, and others, competing for the title of "Best Influencer" and a share of the KRW 300 million (USD $224,000) prize. The contestants faced various challenges designed to test their "presence, impact, and buzz" throughout the competition.
But now that the competition is over, Netflix has officially announced that it will not be giving the show's winner the prize money because of a contract violation that occurred when the winner revealed the competition results in May.
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After the show's filming was completed in May, news broke that YouTuber Oking had won. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the leak resulted from a public argument that Oking and Choi had with the previous CEO of the blockchain platform Winnerz. The disagreement started because of purportedly unlawful actions carried out when Winnerz was releasing Winnerz Coin, its own cryptocurrency. Choi said that Oking served on the platform's board of directors. Oking has refuted any participation in Winnerz.
Amid the controversy, Choi said on social media in May that Oking had told him he had won Netflix's The Influencer. However, he added that Oking had said the information shouldn't have leaked or he would have to pay a fine for breaching his streaming platform contract. Oking's victory was considered a violation of contract since it was revealed ahead of time on a public forum.
Netflix said in a statement on Wednesday (August 21), per Korea JoongAng Daily: “To maintain the program’s credibility and fairness among the participants, the prize will not be awarded to the winner of The Influencer who violated the confidentiality obligations stated in the appearance contract.”
“Maintaining confidentiality about a show before its release is a crucial measure, ensuring the hard work and efforts of everyone involved in creating and fully delivering the show’s enjoyment to the audience,” the streaming platform continued. “Such a measure is a promise made between the staff and participants who wish for the show’s success.”
Netflix has yet to confirm whether The Influencer will return for a second season.
The first season featured some of South Korea's most prominent names, including beauty creator Risabae, former Physical: 100 contestant Shim Euddeum, and brand director and influencer Mejiwoo, who is also recognized as the elder sister of BTS' J-Hope.
