Comedienne Eom Ji-Yoon has found herself mired in controversy after uploading a parody photo of Jeon Cheong-Jo online. Amidst a storm of criticism, she eventually took down the photo, seemingly concluding the matter for now. However, netizens are still sharply divided in their opinions.

On the 30th, Eom Ji-Yoon posted a parody of the viral 'Jeon Cheong-Jo', but faced backlash and subsequently removed the picture. The image, which disappeared late that night, was followed by an apology from her, but even that is no longer available to view.

Jeon Cheong-Jo gained fame as the ex-boyfriend and remarried partner of former national fencing athlete Nam Hyun-Hee. Originally believed to be an illegitimate child of a famous group and a third-generation chaebol, revelations about false details regarding his gender, background, and family relationships have led to him being labeled a "great scam artist".

Notably, his portrayal as a third-generation chaebol who was born and raised in the U.S. and his awkward Korean language skills became a major topic of discussion. Messages he sent, mixing Korean and English such as "Next time에 놀러 갈게요" ("I'll visit next time") and "I am 신뢰에요" (roughly "I am trustworthy"), became the talk of the town. This led to the birth of the popular phrase "I am OO".

Furthermore, photos surfaced showing him with bodyguards fitting his third-generation chaebol persona. In the photos, Jeon is seen wearing sunglasses, staring seriously into the distance, surrounded by well-built bodyguards.

Online, Jeon Cheong-Jo's manner of speech, style, and photos have spawned a myriad of memes and parodies. These are visible across various communities, channels, broadcasts, advertisements, and YouTube videos.

Many netizens believe these parodies mock Jeon Cheong-Jo, noting the absurdity and humor in his pretentious portrayal. However, some point out that the jests lack consideration for the victims of his scams, as there are actual individuals who have suffered financial fraud at his hands.

Responses online vary, with comments like "Everyone in the world is copying the 'I am' manner of speech", "It's inherently funny", and "The meme probably made him even more famous". On the flip side, there are voices of concern stating, "Imagine the pain the victims feel every time they see this", "We shouldn't take crime lightly", "There are real victims here and making memes is insensitive", and "It feels like secondary victimization".

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