Who Is Johnny Somali? American YouTuber Jailed In South Korea For Kissing A Statue

Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 22:14 IST

The 25-year-old, whose real name is Ismael Ramsey Khalid, was convicted by a Seoul court on multiple charges, including public nuisance and distributing sexual deepfakes.

Johnny Somali, controversial livestreamer known for provocative online content, has been sentenced to six months in jail in South Korea after sparking outrage for kissing a statue symbolising victims of wartime sexual slavery. The 25-year-old, whose real name is Ismael Ramsey Khalid, was convicted by a Seoul court on multiple charges, including public nuisance and distributing sexual deepfakes. Authorities had arrested him in November 2024 after he posted videos of himself kissing and performing inappropriate acts on a memorial statue dedicated to so-called “comfort women"- victims of sexual slavery during World War II.

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Johnny Somali’s Controversial Online Persona

Ismael Ramsey Khalid built a reputation online for disruptive and offensive behaviour, often livestreaming confrontations and pranks in public spaces. His content has led to bans from several platforms and criticism across multiple countries. He has previously been accused of harassing people while travelling in Japan and Israel. In Japan, he was fined after causing disturbances in a restaurant, while in Israel he was briefly detained during a protest for inappropriate remarks toward a police officer.

What Incident Sparked Outrage

The case in South Korea drew particular anger due to the historical significance of the statue. The memorials honour an estimated 200,000 women across Asia who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese forces during World War II, many of them Korean. These statues are considered symbols of remembrance and justice and have been at the centre of longstanding diplomatic tensions. Ismael Ramsey Khalid had apologised following the incident, claiming he “didn’t understand the significance" of the statue. However, the apology was widely met with scepticism.

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Prosecutors had sought a three-year sentence, but the court handed down a shorter six-month term, noting the absence of severe harm to specific victims. Still, the court criticised his repeated actions, stating he committed offences to generate online profit while disregarding local laws.

In addition to his jail term, Ismael Ramsey Khalid has been barred from leaving South Korea during the investigation and will face restrictions after release, including a ban on working with organisations involving minors and vulnerable groups.

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