He is undergoing legal proceedings for allegations of misleading advertising related to 'butterless butter beer.'
Park insists he was merely introducing the product based on consumer feedback.
[TV Daily Reporter Han Seo-yul] Park Yong-in of the group Urban Zakapa will once again face legal proceedings due to allegations of misleading advertising. The Seoul Eastern District Court's third criminal division has scheduled the first appeal hearing on April 29 regarding Park's violation of the Food Labeling and Advertising Act.
Since May 2022, Park has been selling four types of beer through his representative company, Virtual Company, at convenience stores. Despite not using butter as an ingredient, the products feature the word 'butter' in their advertising, resulting in an investigation by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and non-custodial indictment for misleading advertising.
In the first trial, the court pointed out that 'the products did not contain butter, yet the term 'beurre' was prominently displayed, misleading consumers about the presence of butter.' Consequently, Park received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, while his company was fined 10 million won. Park maintains his innocence, claiming he merely introduced the products based on consumer feedback.
This issue transcends mere advertising concerns and highlights the significance of consumer protection. For Park Yong-in, being a well-known artist often leads consumers to trust his products more readily. However, it is crucial to maintain the transparency and truthfulness of advertising claims.
Inaccurate advertising can engender serious misunderstandings among consumers, potentially damaging a brand's long-term image. In the case of food-related products, trust is paramount, making legal issues particularly detrimental to brands involved.
Park currently finds himself viewed as a perpetrator of misleading advertising, regardless of his claims of intent. How the upcoming trials interpret his defense and consumer feedback will be closely watched, potentially redefining the relationship between artists and brands. Thus, the unfolding judicial proceedings are likely to attract significant attention.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: DB
