Johnny SomaliJohnny Somali has admitted that time in jail is the only way to stop his controversial content as he is facing another charge in South Korea.
Towards the end of 2024, streamer Johnny Somali – real name Ramsey Khalid Ismael – caused chaos in Japan and Israel. After that, he set course for South Korea, where things have been even more controversial.
The streamer, who is banned from KICK, was charged with obstruction of business after a chaotic stream inside a 7-Eleven convenience store. He has also come under fire for delaying public transport by playing music out loud, as well as kissing the Statue of Peace, and playing North Korean propaganda.
The charges against Somali have continued to stack, including one related to AI deepfakes of Korean streamer BongBong. That charge reportedly comes with “mandatory” jail time as there isn’t an option for fines.
Johnny Somali says prison would send him “crazy”
According to Somali, being sent to prison is the only way to stop his controversial content as he’s admitted it is a matter of when, not if, he’s sent behind bars.
“It’s the life we live, and the life we chose. Even when I went back home, even when I came back from Japan, I was in solitary confinement for 110 days. I was like, itching, I’m bored,” he told a film crew when asked about his streams. “It makes life more interesting. It does, in a way.”
“I’m sacrificing mental health, physical health, you saw a few days ago someone punched me in the back of the head,” he added. “It is stressful, you sacrifice yourself. I think when I’m sent to prison, I’m gonna be like, ‘Ugh.’ If, if…and I think at that point there’s no more Johnny left, I’ll go f*cking crazy.”
Despite the ongoing trial, Somali has not toned down any of his content. He was arrested after taunting Korean police at the end of March.
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As the streamer noted, he was also attacked during a stream by a random passer-by who punched him in the head.