YouTuber Bokyem with 17.3 Million Subscribers Says, "I Bought a 3.5 Billion Won Apartment for My Subscribers"... May Owe 1.1 Billion Won in Taxes

According to The Financial News, YouTuber Bokyem, who has 17.3 million subscribers, has drawn attention after revealing that he prepared an apartment worth about 3.5 billion won as a gift for his subscribers.
Recently, through his YouTube channel, Bokyem announced that he would offer a 50-pyeong-class apartment as a giveaway prize for his subscribers.
He stated, "From live internet broadcasts in 2012 to YouTube in 2026, I think I have come this far because I kept thinking about how I could treat my viewers better and take better care of them."
The 60-pyeong-class apartment shown in the video featured a spacious living room and several rooms, and had been fully remodeled.
Inside the home, there was a large living room with a ceiling fitted with indirect lighting and a big TV, as well as a bedroom reminiscent of a hotel. High-end interior finishes and furniture were installed, drawing attention.
It was also reported that the apartment is equipped with soundproofing, insulation, and air-conditioning systems, providing a comfortable living environment.
Introducing various parts of the home, Bokyem said, "This is the first time in my life that I have bought an apartment. I did not buy this place for myself to live in. I bought it to give it away," adding, "Please subscribe to and like the Bokyem TV and BokyemS channels, turn on notifications, and consider joining the 990-won membership."
Bokyem began his career on internet streaming platforms in the early 2010s and gained popularity with game and talk content on his YouTube channel "Bokyem TV." With his distinctive catchphrases and persona, he has built strong recognition among younger audiences and now has more than 17 million subscribers. He has previously made headlines by holding various giveaway events, offering prizes ranging from electronic devices like iPhones and iPads to high-end cars such as Porsche and Lamborghini.

According to EDAILY on the 11th, if someone receives the 3.5 billion won apartment shown in Bokyem’s video as a giveaway prize, they may have to pay several hundred million won in taxes, including income tax and acquisition tax.
Assets received as prizes are classified as "other income" under the tax code and are subject to withholding tax. Because the prize is real estate, the recipient must also pay acquisition tax separately when the ownership is transferred.
Prize winnings fall under the category of other income for tax purposes. The withholding tax rate on other income is 20% income tax plus local income tax equal to 10% of the income tax, for a total of 22%. If the recipient were to receive the apartment worth 3,567,200,000 won that Bokyem showed in his video, a simple calculation suggests that about 784,780,000 won would be subject to withholding.
The recipient must also file a comprehensive income tax return. In addition, there is the burden of acquisition tax arising from acquiring real estate. When a person acquires a home, they must pay acquisition tax, which is a local tax, and the rate varies depending on the home price and the number of homes they already own.
Generally, when a person without a home acquires their first residence, the acquisition tax rate, including surtaxes, is around 1.1% to 3.5%.
The home Bokyem revealed is in the 50-pyeong range, with an exclusive area of 165 square meters. When a person without a home acquires a property with an exclusive area exceeding 85 square meters, the applicable acquisition tax rate is about 3.5%. Applying this rate simply, the acquisition tax would be 124,850,000 won.
Therefore, even for someone with no existing home, the initial tax burden, combining the withholding on other income and the acquisition tax, would be around 900 million won.
If the winner already owns a home, the acquisition tax rate can rise to around 9%, meaning the acquisition tax alone could reach the 300 million won range.
moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter