'Kwaktube' YouTuber apologizes for deleting sponsorship tag on post about postpartum care center
Published: 10 Apr. 2026, 18:49
![Travel YouTuber Kwak Joon-bin, left, poses for a photograph with his newborn son and his wife in March in a photo uploaded to his Instagram on March 24. [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/10/f83c0936-e9e0-4c54-9806-eb3e5740ea73.jpg)
Travel YouTuber Kwak Joon-bin, left, poses for a photograph with his newborn son and his wife in March in a photo uploaded to his Instagram on March 24. [JOONGANG ILBO]
Travel YouTuber Kwak Joon-bin — whose channel, “Kwaktube,” has 2.15 million subscribers — issued an apology on Friday over a deleted sponsorship tag on a post about his family's experience at a postpartum care center after his wife gave birth to a boy.
Kwak, who became a father last month, found himself embroiled in controversy after he uploaded a post about the center, which offered him benefits in exchange for promotion. In a later post, he clarified that he has fully paid back the value of the perks.
“I feel heavyhearted for causing concern due to the controversy over my use of a postpartum care center,” Kwak wrote in a statement uploaded on his channel.
“After my spouse gave birth, I received an upgraded room and some services from the postpartum center through a sponsorship. Although I disclosed the sponsorship on social media at the time, I later revised the post as it could have led to a misunderstanding about the scope.”
![Kwak Joon bin takes care of his new son. [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/10/069adb06-2228-4e7e-b5d1-ece0db29b975.jpg)
Kwak Joon bin takes care of his new son. [JOONGANG ILBO]
Last week, Kwak posted a photo taken with his family at the postpartum care center on Instagram, initially including the word “sponsored,” which he later deleted. Some internet users doubted whether the deletion was related to his wife’s occupation as a public servant.
The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act prohibits public servants — regardless of job relevance — from receiving money, goods or services exceeding 1 million won ($675) at a time.
The postpartum care center in question reportedly charges about 6.9 million won for a two-week stay in a so-called royal tier room, 10.5 million won for a suite and 25 million won for a presidential suite.
SM C&C, Kwak’s agency, said Thursday that the YouTuber did not receive full sponsorship for the postpartum stay, but only a room upgrade.
“As my spouse is a public servant, I sought legal consultation after the controversy arose,” Kwak said. “I confirmed that the sponsorship was a private contract between me and the postpartum center, which carries zero relevance to my spouse’s occupation.”
![An apology statement uploaded on Kwak Joon-bin's YouTube channel on Friday [SCREEN CAPTURE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/10/7e1689f0-441e-4064-95d9-ce9ba01b8218.jpg)
An apology statement uploaded on Kwak Joon-bin's YouTube channel on Friday [SCREEN CAPTURE]
Despite the assurance, the YouTuber expressed “deep regret” and added that he “should have acted more cautiously as a family member of a public official.” He also vowed to faithfully provide clarifications if deemed necessary.
While noting his reimbursement on the value of the sponsored amount, Kwak said he is willing to donate 30 million won for single mothers, adding it is something he “has long wanted to do.”
“Going forward, I will think more profoundly about not only legal standards but also social responsibility and behave accordingly,” Kwak said. “I once again bow my head in apology to everyone who felt upset.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HYEON YE-SEUL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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