On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a shocking incident unfolded in Toulouse as popular South Korean streamer Yoo Yoon-jin, known as Jinnytty, was verbally and physically assaulted while live-streaming on Twitch. The 32-year-old influencer, who boasts over 1.1 million followers, was near the iconic Pont Neuf when a man on a scooter approached her aggressively.
During her live broadcast, the man shouted, "Tu filmes quoi toi ? Sale Chinoise. Casse-toi de là, sale pute!" (What are you filming? Dirty Chinese. Get out of here, dirty whore!) before striking her phone. This brazen act of aggression was captured live, viewed by thousands of online users, and has since sparked outrage and discussions on social media.
After the incident, Jinnytty, visibly shaken, continued her stream, questioning, "C'était quoi ce bordel?" (What was that mess?). Despite the severity of the encounter, she decided not to file a police report, stating, "La police ne pourra rien faire, il a juste frappé mon téléphone" (The police can’t do anything; he just hit my phone).
The Deputy Mayor for Security in Toulouse, Émilion Esnault, expressed his support for Jinnytty, stating, "Plein soutien à Jinnytty, streameuse insultée et agressée en plein live à Toulouse. Comme trop de Toulousains, elle a subi des comportements inadmissibles. La justice doit être ferme pour en finir avec cette impunité" (Full support to Jinnytty, the streamer insulted and assaulted live in Toulouse. Like too many people in Toulouse, she suffered unacceptable behavior. Justice must be firm to end this impunity).
This incident has raised questions about the safety of content creators, particularly those who engage with their audiences in public spaces. Jinnytty's experience is a stark reminder of the potential dangers that come with live streaming, especially in unfamiliar environments.
Jinnytty’s live stream on May 8 lasted over six hours, during which she showcased various sights in Toulouse, including the Halle de la Machine and the Téléo cable car. Following the assault, she continued to film her adventures in the city, demonstrating resilience amidst adversity.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Jinnytty has faced trouble while streaming. In January 2023, while live in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she was a victim of a theft when a thief snatched her phone. Fortunately, that incident ended positively, with bystanders managing to apprehend the thief and recover her device.
The recent attack on Jinnytty has sparked widespread discussions about racism and misogyny in France, particularly against Asian individuals. The language used by her attacker, calling her a "dirty Chinese," highlights the ongoing issues of racial discrimination that persist in society. Local communities, especially those of Asian descent, have expressed their concerns over such incidents, which they believe reflect a broader societal problem.
As the news of Jinnytty's assault spread, many on social media rallied to her side, sharing their support and condemning the attack. Comments flooded in during her live stream, with some followers urging her to contact the police, while others speculated about the motivations behind the attack. One user suggested, "Fui, va voir la police" (Go see the police), while another commented, "C'est probablement un dealer de drogue" (He’s probably a drug dealer).
Despite the chaos of the situation, Jinnytty maintained her composure, even joking about the absurdity of the encounter. "Non ce n'est pas un voleur. C'était un fou" (No, it’s not a thief. It was a crazy person), she remarked, trying to make sense of the unexpected aggression.
In the wake of the incident, the prosecutor of Toulouse, David Charmatz, announced that an investigation had been opened. The case is being classified as violence possibly aggravated by its racist nature and sexist outrage due to the derogatory language used by the attacker. The interdepartmental directorate of the national police of Haute-Garonne is leading the investigation, which aims to address the growing concerns over public safety and hate crimes.
Jinnytty’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for content creators who engage with their audiences in public settings. While many streamers thrive on the interaction with fans, incidents like this underscore the need for increased awareness and safety measures. The streaming community is calling for better protections for individuals who may be vulnerable to harassment or violence while sharing their lives online.
As Jinnytty continues her travels and adventures, she remains a beloved figure among her followers, who appreciate her authenticity and willingness to connect with them. However, this incident has undoubtedly left a mark on her experience in Toulouse, a city she had hoped to showcase positively.
In conclusion, the assault on Jinnytty highlights the complex dynamics of public engagement in the digital age. As streaming becomes more prevalent, society must confront the underlying issues of harassment and discrimination that can arise in these interactions. The hope is that such incidents will lead to greater awareness and ultimately, a safer environment for all content creators.
