"I Was So Frustrated" - Kim Gye-ri, Yoon's Lawyer, Launches YouTube Channel That Explodes to 100K Subscribers

The Viral Launch of Kim Gye-ri TV

Did you know that in just 48 hours, a South Korean lawyer became one of the most talked-about YouTubers in the country? Attorney Kim Gye-ri, who serves as legal representative for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, launched her YouTube channel on June 16th with a simple yet powerful message: she was frustrated.

The channel, aptly named 'Kim Gye-ri TV,' debuted with a 2-minute and 31-second video titled 'This is Kim Gye-ri. I started YouTube because I was so frustrated!' The response was nothing short of explosive. Within less than a day, the video garnered over 300,000 views, and subscriber counts soared past 100,000 - reaching an impressive 112,000 subscribers by the 18th.

What makes this launch particularly significant is Kim's status in Korean politics. As the youngest member of Yoon Suk-yeol's legal defense team at age 41, she gained national attention during the impeachment trial hearings. Her decision to create a direct communication channel with the public represents a bold move in Korea's traditionally formal legal and political landscape.

Behind the Frustration: Why Kim Gye-ri Turned to YouTube

Kim Gye-ri's motivation for starting YouTube wasn't born from a desire for fame or influence - it stemmed from genuine frustration with how her legal arguments were being portrayed in traditional media. During her debut video, she explained that while she never imagined she would become a YouTuber, the impeachment proceedings made her realize the necessity of having a direct communication channel with the public.

'Many people only remember that I said I was enlightened, but we made extensive arguments at the Constitutional Court that were barely covered in news articles,' Kim revealed. This refers to her controversial statement during the February 25th final hearing where she declared 'I was enlightened' - a phrase that became a lightning rod for political debate.

The attorney described her repeated attempts to provide journalists with materials and request coverage, only to be met with indifference. 'I would deliver materials to reporters and ask them to write articles, but it rarely worked out. That's why I felt frustrated,' she explained. This frustration with traditional media's selective coverage ultimately pushed her toward creating her own platform for direct communication.

The Enlightenment Controversy That Made Her Famous

To understand Kim Gye-ri's YouTube launch, we must examine the moment that thrust her into the national spotlight. During the February 25th Constitutional Court hearing for former President Yoon's impeachment trial, Kim made a statement that would define her public persona. Introducing herself as 'a baby mother with a 14-month-old daughter,' she declared that she had been 'enlightened' about the Democratic Party's alleged wrongdoings.

This 'enlightenment' terminology became highly controversial because it's commonly used among far-right YouTubers to justify the martial law declaration as a necessary awakening of the people. Kim's statement that she had discovered 'the Democratic Party's evil deeds and fascist acts of one-party dictatorship' while juggling pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing resonated strongly with Yoon's supporters but drew sharp criticism from opposition voices.

The controversy deepened when Kim appeared on Korean history instructor Jeon Han-gil's YouTube channel in April 2025, where she explained her reaction to Yoon's dismissal. She revealed that she smiled during the announcement because she 'couldn't cry' despite being emotionally affected, leading to further public scrutiny of her demeanor during such a serious constitutional crisis.

Community Reactions: Explosive Growth Meets Divided Opinion

The launch of Kim Gye-ri TV has generated intense reactions across Korean online communities, reflecting the deep political divisions surrounding former President Yoon's case. On supportive platforms, users praised her decision to bypass traditional media, viewing it as a necessary step to present unfiltered legal perspectives. Many commented that they finally had access to direct explanations from Yoon's defense team, something they felt was lacking in mainstream coverage.

However, critical communities expressed skepticism about a lawyer using YouTube as a platform during ongoing legal proceedings. Some users on progressive forums questioned the appropriateness of such direct public engagement while representing a client in sensitive constitutional matters. The controversy has been particularly intense on platforms like DC Inside and Nate Pann, where political discussions often become heated debates.

Notably, Kim's approach to audience interaction is unique - she explicitly welcomed likes, subscriptions, and notifications but firmly requested no comments, especially negative ones. This one-way communication model reflects her intention to use the platform solely for clarification and personal expression rather than engaging in public debates. The rapid subscriber growth suggests that many Koreans are hungry for direct communication from key political figures, regardless of their political alignment.

The Broader Context: Legal Ethics and Public Communication

Kim Gye-ri's YouTube venture raises important questions about the intersection of legal ethics and public communication in South Korea's digital age. During her debut video, she carefully distinguished between official positions from the legal team's public relations department and her personal thoughts and emotions shared on the channel. This distinction is crucial given the ongoing nature of Yoon's legal battles across multiple venues - the Constitutional Court impeachment trial, criminal proceedings for insurrection charges, and special prosecutor investigations.

The timing of the channel launch is particularly significant given recent developments in Yoon's cases. Former President Yoon was indicted on additional charges in July 2025, including misuse of authority and obstruction of official duties. The Seoul Central District Court also rejected Yoon's petition for release, keeping him in custody over his failed martial law attempt. These ongoing legal proceedings create a complex backdrop for Kim's decision to establish direct public communication.

Legal experts have noted that while lawyers have rights to public expression, the sensitive nature of constitutional and criminal proceedings requires careful navigation of professional ethics. Kim's approach of focusing on media clarification and personal perspective, while avoiding case details, appears designed to respect these boundaries while still engaging with public discourse.

Cultural Impact and the Future of Political Communication

The explosive success of Kim Gye-ri TV represents more than just another YouTube channel - it signals a potential shift in how South Korean political and legal figures engage with the public. In a country where traditional media has long served as the primary intermediary between public figures and citizens, direct digital communication platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for unfiltered messaging.

Kim's success comes at a time when YouTube has become increasingly important in Korean political discourse. The platform has already seen controversial figures gain significant followings, with some channels reaching millions of subscribers by focusing on political commentary and current events. However, Kim's channel is unique as it represents direct communication from someone actively involved in high-profile legal proceedings rather than external commentary.

The cultural implications extend beyond politics into questions about media literacy and information consumption. Kim's complaint about selective media coverage resonates with broader concerns about how complex legal and political issues are simplified or distorted in traditional reporting. Her direct-to-audience approach bypasses editorial filters, potentially providing more nuanced perspectives but also raising questions about accountability and fact-checking in an era of information abundance.

As South Korea continues to grapple with political polarization and questions about democratic institutions, Kim Gye-ri TV may serve as a case study for how digital platforms can reshape public discourse. Whether this model proves sustainable and appropriate for ongoing legal proceedings remains to be seen, but its initial success suggests significant public appetite for direct communication from key political figures.