YouTuber Mimi Minu (Kim Min-woo) Declares Full Refund of Ad Fees After Partner Company Goes Bankrupt—Another Test Following the ‘Slam’ Controversy

Mimi Minu (real name Kim Min-woo), a leading creator in the test-prep education scene, has hit another major wave. After facing legal battles late last year over the so-called ‘Slam’ incident (a defamation lawsuit involving a show participant), he now finds his integrity tested once more—this time caught up in the sudden bankruptcy of a startup he personally promoted. But Kim Min-woo has responded with an unexpectedly decisive move, drawing intense attention from netizens.

A Betrayal by a ‘Study-and-Earn’ App? The Part-Time Study Bankruptcy

The situation began on the 24th, with the sudden bankruptcy of a study app called Part-Time Study. The app allowed users to deposit a set amount (up to 200,000 won) and, upon hitting their study goals, would return the deposit plus extra rewards. It became hugely popular among test-takers as an app that let them earn pocket money while studying. However, after refunds started getting delayed a few days ago, the operating company, Studywork Inc., entered bankruptcy proceedings without any prior notice.

The issue is that the app was actively promoted on Mimi Minu’s channel just months ago. Those affected have formed group chats on social media to assess the scale of the damage, with over 860 people currently in one such chat. Individual losses range from 100,000 won to as much as 900,000 won. One affected user expressed their frustration, saying, “200,000 won is a huge amount for a test-taker. Overnight, I’ve become a creditor.”

Mimi Minu’s Response: “I Will Refund the Full Ad Fee from My Own Pocket”

In this situation, Kim Min-woo released a roughly two-minute apology video the very next day, on the 25th. He stated, “I want to take responsibility for the current situation where many people haven’t been able to get their deposits back because the company I ran ads for on my channel went bankrupt.” He declared, “I will formally return the full amount of the advertising fees I received from that company, plus an additional amount, to the affected individuals.” This went beyond simply returning the ad fees, as he indicated he’s willing to cover extra costs himself.

He explained, “I ran two ad campaigns from last June up until last month. I met the company’s CEO in person and did thorough checks, but I only found out on the day of the bankruptcy that they had hidden signs of financial trouble even from their own internal directors until just before going under.” He added, “Since I can’t reach the CEO, I felt it was right to take responsibility as quickly as possible for those who trusted me and my channel.” Immediately after posting the video, he also removed all related ad content from his channel to prevent further damage.

Two Crises: Reactions to the ‘Slam’ Controversy and the Current Situation

In fact, this situation marks the second headache for Mimi Minu this year alone. Earlier, in October of last year, he was sued for defamation and insult by an individual identified as ‘A’, who had appeared in his content. At the time, ‘A’ had left the show after online allegations of laptop theft surfaced, claiming that Mimi Minu had read malicious comments during a live stream, treating the allegations as fact, which caused emotional distress. This incident, dubbed the ‘Slam’ controversy, is still under police investigation. At the time, Mimi Minu took a cautious stance, stating on his fan cafe that he was “preparing a legal response and would share his position once there was a result.”

This is why his swift decision for a “full refund” in the current Part-Time Study situation is garnering so much attention. It’s a choice that prioritizes ‘trust’ over strictly determining legal liability.

• Swift Action: Posted a video within a day of the incident, promising a full refund of advertising fees and additional support, effectively cutting off criticism of “irresponsible promotion.”
• Supporting the Victims: Immediately after posting the video, he contacted the victim group to ensure the promised amounts are paid out after proper verification procedures.
• No Evasion of Responsibility: While emphasizing that the company hid its worsening finances until just before bankruptcy, he acknowledged his moral responsibility first when he couldn’t reach the CEO.

For Test-Takers, ‘Trust’ Is Everything… What Will Kim Min-woo’s Choice Mean?

While some speculate this decision might be a strategic move for image management, the majority of netizens are reacting positively. Comments like, “It’s not an easy decision to give back all the ad money you received when you’re also a potential victim,” and “Thank you for the quick response” are common.

As a creator dealing with the sensitive topics of exams and education, ‘trust’ is the core asset of the Mimi Minu personal brand. Kim Min-woo has positioned himself as a mentor for test-takers, leveraging his own story of getting into Korea University after five attempts. Whether this decision will remain a simple damage control measure or serve as a turning point to solidify his reputation as a trustworthy creator depends on his next steps. All eyes are on how the refund process for victims will actually unfold and the legal outcome of the ongoing ‘Slam’ case.