Mimiminu Kim Min-woo Refunds Entire Ad Fee After Partner’s Bankruptcy—Faces Another Test Following ‘Slam’ Controversy

Kim Min-woo, better known as Mimiminu, a top creator in the exam prep education scene, has hit another major hurdle. Still navigating the legal fallout from the ‘Slam’ (a defamation lawsuit involving a show participant) late last year, he now finds his integrity questioned after a startup he promoted abruptly went under. However, Kim Min-woo has taken an unexpectedly decisive step that has captured the intense interest of netizens.

Betrayed by an App That Paid You to Study? The Part-Time Study Bankruptcy

The issue began on the 24th with the sudden bankruptcy of a study app called ‘Part-Time Study’. The app worked by having users deposit a certain amount (up to 200,000 KRW) as a guarantee. If they met their study goal, they’d get the deposit back plus extra rewards, making it hugely popular among test-takers as an ‘app that pays you while you study’. But after delays in refunds started a few days prior, the operator, Studywork Inc., suddenly entered bankruptcy proceedings without warning.

The problem? This app had been actively promoted on Mimiminu’s channel just a few months prior. Affected users quickly formed group chats on social media to gauge the scale of the damage, with one chat room currently having over 860 members. Individual losses range from around 100,000 KRW to as high as 900,000 KRW. One victim expressed their frustration, saying, “For a student preparing for exams, 200,000 KRW is a huge amount. Overnight, I’ve become a creditor.”

Mimiminu’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. “I want to take responsibility for the current situation where many people haven’t received their deposits back because a company I promoted on my channel went bankrupt,” he stated. He declared, “I will formally pay the victims the full advertising fee I received from that company, plus an additional amount.” This goes beyond simply handing back the ad money, showing his willingness to incur extra personal cost.

While explaining, “From June last year until last month, I did two promotions. I met the CEO in person and did thorough checks, but it seems they hid the signs of financial trouble from even their own directors until right before the bankruptcy. I only found out about it the day it happened,” he added, “I can’t reach the CEO right now. In this situation, I felt the least I could do for the people who trusted me and my channel was to take responsibility as quickly as possible.” Immediately after posting the video, he also deleted all related promotional content from his channel to prevent further harm.

Two Crises: The ‘Slam’ Controversy and How This Situation is Being Viewed

This is actually the second headache for Mimiminu this year alone. Previously, in October last year, he was sued for defamation and insult by an individual, referred to as ‘A’, who had appeared in his content. A had left the show after online allegations of laptop theft surfaced, and claimed that Mimiminu caused emotional distress by reading malicious comments on a live stream that treated the allegations as fact. This so-called ‘Slam’ controversy is still under police investigation. At that time, Mimiminu took a cautious approach, stating on his fan café that he was preparing a legal response and would share his position once there were results.

This is precisely why his rapid decision for a ‘full refund’ in the Part-Time Study case is drawing so much attention. Instead of getting tangled in legal responsibility, he appears to have chosen to prioritize trust.

• Swift Action: Uploaded a video within a day of the incident, promising a full refund of the ad fees and additional support, effectively countering any ‘irresponsible promotion’ criticism.
• Engaging with Victims: Immediately after the video, he contacted the victim group to arrange for the promised payments through a proper verification process.
• No Shying Away: While emphasizing that the company hid its financial decline until the very end, he acknowledged his own moral responsibility when the CEO became unreachable.

For Students, Trust is Everything… What Will Kim Min-woo’s Choice Be?

While some speculate this might be a strategic move for image management, the majority of netizens are reacting positively. Comments like, “It’s not an easy decision to return the entire ad fee he received when he’s also a victim in a way,” and “I’m grateful for the quick response,” are prevalent. Many find it impressive for a YouTuber to give ad money back to victims.

As a creator dealing with the sensitive fields of entrance exams and education, ‘trust’ is the core asset of the Mimiminu brand. Kim Min-woo has built his image as a ‘mentor’ for students, drawing on his own relatable story of eventually getting into Korea University after five attempts. Whether this decision remains just damage control or becomes a turning point to solidify his reputation as ‘trustworthy Mimiminu’ will depend on his future actions. All eyes are on how the actual refund process for the victims unfolds and the final legal outcome of the ongoing ‘Slam’ case.