Popular Korean YouTuber inoCat (Yoon Su Jin), boasting a massive 6.55 million subscribers, is currently facing a significant backlash just weeks after being at the center of a widely reported global racism incident. This new controversy puts the influencer under the spotlight for very different reasons.
inoCat’s FIFA World Cup Racism Experience
Previously, on June 12th, inoCat brought to public attention a distressing incident where she was the victim of racial discrimination. This occurred during the group stage match between Mexico and the Czech Republic at the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup. The incident involved a Mexican man in the stands making a demeaning ‘slant eyes’ gesture towards East Asians. The racist act quickly drew international condemnation, prompting FIFA to take official action. In a show of solidarity and apology, FIFA formally invited inoCat to the second group stage match between Korea and Mexico, where Acting Secretary-General Mattias Grafström personally extended an apology for the unfortunate experience.
From Victim to Controversial Figure: The Messi Uniform Video
However, a mere month after receiving FIFA’s official apology for the racial discrimination she endured, inoCat found herself embroiled in a controversy of her own making, also related to the World Cup. The incident erupted following the release of her video titled “How to Use Messi’s Uniform.”
The contentious video depicted an Argentina national team uniform, emblazoned with Lionel Messi’s name, being irreverently used as a foot mat on the floor and later to wipe a glass window like a common rag. This content, which was reportedly an imitation of a foreign creator’s video, sparked widespread outrage, particularly among Argentine netizens. Many accused the video of being deeply disrespectful, mocking both the iconic player Lionel Messi and the nation of Argentina.
inoCat’s Apology and Reflection
On July 22nd, inoCat addressed the controversy by posting a message on her account. It began with a sincere apology: “I sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable because of the recent video I uploaded.” She elaborated on her initial misunderstanding, stating, “I thought this video was just a meme content, but after reading many viewers’ opinions, I realized that it was a much more sensitive topic than I had thought.”
Further clarifying her intentions, she wrote, “I sincerely apologize for uploading the video without fully understanding. Messi is my favorite soccer player,” as she confirmed the video’s deletion and the subsequent apology post. In her apology, inoCat also expressed, “The video was not made with the intention to humiliate or hate anyone. However, I caused discomfort, and I think I should have been more careful about that. I will be more thorough in considering expressions and cultural backgrounds when creating content from now on.” She concluded her statement by reiterating, “I sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable.”
