Following the murder, Choi deliberately tried to mislead the authorities. Witnesses spotted him with a suitcase, making multiple stops—eight according to some accounts—to cause confusion before eventually heading to the mountainside to dispose of the body. Despite these deceptive actions, he was apprehended a mere 12 hours after the incident. Initially, he claimed to be innocent, yet he admitted to the crime once the police discovered Yoon Ji-ah’s body.

The death of Yoon Ji-ah has sparked a nationwide wave of mourning and protest in South Korea, with her family and admirers calling for complete accountability and the harshest legal penalties for Choi.

She was remembered by her family as a “bright light” who cherished her loved ones and engaged warmly with those around her. This tragic incident has starkly emphasized the very real dangers linked to parasocial relationships and the pressing need for more effective safety protocols for content creators, prompting a serious evaluation of the threats influencers may face from obsessive online interactions.