YouTubers sought donations through protests and videos criticizing Yoo Hae-jin amid debate over the portrayal of historical events in 'Assassin(s).' Yoo Hae-jin is an actor who appeared in the film 'Assassin(s).' Yoo Hae-jin worked as an advertising model for Kiwoom Securities.

Yoo Hae-jin was targeted at a protest outside Kiwoom Securities' headquarters on October 13. At the gathering in Seoul's Yeouido district, YouTuber Ahn Jung-kwon shouted a slogan criticizing Yoo, and about 80 attendees responded by waving signs criticizing Yoo and the company. An AI-generated video about a conspiracy theory concerning former President Roh Moo-hyun's death played on a screen. About 20 YouTubers in the front row turned their phones and cameras toward it. When the video ended, the host asked attendees to donate to see what came next. Comments on the livestream also encouraged donations through an account number displayed beneath the video.

A protest targeting Yoo Hae-jin was held outside his home on October 4. Ahn's livestream of the gathering received 47,000 views, above the 10,000 to 20,000 views usually recorded on his channel. Ahn sought funding for a proposed film based on a conspiracy theory about Roh's death. Kim Sang-jin, a YouTuber and head of New Freedom Solidarity who led the protest, posted Yoo's home address on October 1. The post received 13,000 likes; a September 30 post by Kim supporting former President Yoon Suk Yeol received 425 likes. Kim also supplied an automated phone number and a bank account for donations when announcing the Kiwoom Securities protest.

A YouTuber known as PPKKa, who does not publicly identify himself, uploaded a video criticizing Yoo on October 4 and said he would seek donations. About 250 people donated in connection with the video. Account numbers also appeared with other videos and social media posts criticizing Yoo. PPKKa had been unable to earn revenue from YouTube videos after criticizing women concerned about deepfake sex crimes in August 2024.

Kiwoom Securities said all ad campaigns featuring Yoo had ended and a new campaign was underway. It said some subway ads would end in stages because replacing the material takes time. YouTubers involved in the protests said they would also hold a protest outside Kiwoom Securities chief executive Um Ju-sung's home to demand a change of advertising model.

Yoo Hae-jin received police protection and later requested that it end. After a request from Yoo's agency, police began protective measures on October 6, providing a smartwatch, registering him with the 112 emergency system and increasing patrols near his home. Seoul police chief Ko Beom-seok told lawmakers on October 15 that the measures had ended at Yoo's request.