Netflix has canceled the 300 million won (approximately $224,000) prize for Oking, the winner of The Influencer, due to a breach of confidentiality obligations.
A spokesperson for The Influencer told News1, “To uphold the integrity of the program and ensure fairness among contestants, the prize money was withheld because the winner violated the confidentiality terms of their contract.”
The team behind The Influencer further emphasized, “Maintaining confidentiality before the program’s release is essential to honor the hard work and dedication and ensure that the program’s intended enjoyment is fully delivered to the viewers. This confidentiality is a commitment shared by all the production staff and participants invested in the project’s success.”
The final episode of The Influencer, which aired last Tuesday, is a social survival program in which 77 influencers from South Korea compete to determine who has the greatest influence, with influence directly affecting their value.
In May, before the release of The Influencer, Choi Seung Jeong, the former CEO of Winners and a key figure in the coin scam allegations involving Oking, posted on social media, “On January 31, Oking and a friend visited our home.” Choi added, “He mentioned that anything discussed during the visit must remain confidential, and if leaked, a penalty would apply. The winner of The Influencer (referring to himself) told us this.” This post generated controversy.
The final episode, which ultimately aired, showed Oking winning the competition. Netflix has since canceled the 300 million won prize for Oking due to the breach of confidentiality obligations.
