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Johnny Somali is not a stranger to controversy. The American livestreamer is in serious trouble in South Korea. On March 7, 2025, he pleaded guilty to several charges, including Obstruction of Business and Violations of the Minor Crimes Act.
But his trial did not go smoothly at all. First, he showed up an hour late which already left a bad impression. Then his outfit was not appropriate. He wore a baggy suit and a red MAGA hat, which the court asked him to remove many times.
To add a cherry on top, his lawyer had no idea of an additional charge Johnny Somali had. Because of this, the next hearing has been postponed to April 9, 2025.
The night before the trial, Johnny Somali got way too drunk and he threw up in his roommate's apartment. He even tried to livestream his court hearing on an app called 'Parti,' which could have caused him even more trouble.
Critics are saying it is well deserved and that Johnny had this coming. They were tired of his disrespectful and obnoxious behavior.
Johnny Somali and His History of Problems
This is not the first time that Johnny Somali has been in trouble. He became famous in South Korea for disturbing people while livestreaming. One of his most disrespectful acts was to kiss the Statue of Peace. That statue honors victims of wartime s*xual slavery. His behavior was even brought up in South Korea's parliament in October 2024.
Even before coming to South Korea, he got kicked out of Japan for similar behavior. He often boarded trains and shouted racial slurs at passengers. He filmed their reactions. He also entered restaurants and convenience stores, loudly mocking employees and disturbing other customers. His behavior became too much to handle and the local authorities began investigating him.
The incident that was like the final nail in the coffin back in Japan was Johnny trespassing in a restricted area at a construction site. Guards tried to remove him, but he mocked them and refused to leave. The video went viral, leading to his arrest.
Japan's Government revoked his visa and forced him to leave the country for good.
Apart from Japan and South Korea, Johnny Somali has faced severe backlash for his insensitive jokes about serious events. He once made fun of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster during a livestream. Many viewers found it highly offensive and this even led to YouTube removing some of his videos.
What Will Happen to Johnny Somali Next?
Right now, Johnny is supposed to face 5 years of prison time for the Obstruction of Business. But if he is found guilty of all other charges, his sentence can go up to 10 years.
His next hearing is on April 9 and people are waiting to see what happens and hoping that he faces the consequences of his actions.
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