The South Korean entertainment world was shaken on September 11, 2025, when popular TikTok influencer Yoon Ji-ah was found dead on a mountainside in Muju County, North Jeolla Province. The 27-year-old content creator, who had amassed over 300,000 followers, was discovered with bruises and signs of strangulation in what authorities have determined was a brutal murder.
Ji-ah had been filming her livestream on Yeongjong Island in Incheon, more than three hours away from where her body was later found. The timing of the attack, occurring just 30 minutes after her final livestream, suggests she encountered danger almost immediately after ending her broadcast. An autopsy confirmed her cause of death as asphyxiation due to neck compression.
The suspect, identified only by his surname Choi, is a man in his 50s who had presented himself to Ji-ah as the CEO of an IT company. Operating under the online alias “Black Cat,” Choi had established himself as a high-spending supporter on video platforms, reportedly donating approximately 100 million won, equivalent to around $70,000, to the influencer. This level of financial contribution had earned him VIP status and ranked him 46th out of 50 on TikTok’s spending leaderboard.
However, investigators revealed that Choi’s wealthy persona was entirely fabricated. He was actually drowning in debt and had lost his home through a forced auction. Despite his financial troubles, he had convinced Ji-ah to enter into a business partnership with promises of growing her follower base and enhancing her online presence.
The relationship between Choi and Ji-ah had deteriorated in the weeks leading up to her death. Sources close to the influencer indicated she had grown uncomfortable with his controlling behavior and unreasonable scheduling demands. She had recently expressed her intention to sever their business ties, a decision that reportedly sent Choi into desperation.
Security camera footage captured the disturbing final moments of Ji-ah’s life. CCTV recordings from the day before her death showed Choi on his knees, apparently pleading with her not to end their partnership. On September 11, at approximately 3:27 p.m. local time, additional footage captured Ji-ah attempting to exit a vehicle, only to be forcibly pulled back inside before the door was slammed shut.
Ji-ah’s mother later described the harrowing scene to reporters, explaining that detectives had informed her that “the CCTV showed her about to get out of the car, but she was pulled back inside by force.”
Following the murder, witnesses observed Choi dragging a large suitcase from his residence. In what investigators believe was an attempt to mislead authorities, he made eight different stops during his journey to the Muju mountains, where he ultimately abandoned Ji-ah’s body in a grassy field.
Choi was arrested on September 13, just two days after Ji-ah’s body was discovered. Initially, he vehemently denied any involvement in the crime. However, his story changed dramatically once police informed him that the influencer’s body had been found. Faced with the evidence, he confessed to killing Ji-ah, though the specific charges he admitted to remain unclear.
The case was featured on Seoul Broadcasting System’s investigative program “Curious Story Y,” which aired on October 3, bringing national attention to the circumstances surrounding Ji-ah’s death. The program detailed Choi’s double life and the dangerous obsession that ultimately led to murder.
In the aftermath of her death, Ji-ah’s family posted a heartfelt tribute on her TikTok account, describing her as someone who loved food, communicated warmly with people, and cherished her family deeply. The family requested that her memory be honored with kindness while asking the public to refrain from speculation.
The investigation remains ongoing under the jurisdiction of the North Jeolla Provincial Police Agency, with authorities continuing to review digital records, financial transactions, and additional security footage to build their case against Choi. The brutal nature of the crime has sparked widespread discussion about the safety of content creators and the potential dangers posed by obsessive fans in the digital age.