Singer Jeon So-mi became embroiled in an unexpected controversy ahead of her film debut. In September, Jeon So-mi took her first step as an actor with news of her appearance in the K-pop thriller film 'Perfect Girl (PERFECT GIRL)', and two months later she faced criticism over the alleged 'unauthorized use of the Red Cross logo' on the beauty brand she launched.
On the 7th, the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul said, "A complaint accusing Jeon So-mi and viewbelle Korea representative A and others of violating the Korean Red Cross Organization Act has been received." The complainant was not identified, but it was reported that they argued, "If the Red Cross emblem is used repeatedly for commercial purposes, it can undermine the neutrality and credibility of relief activities."
The issue began when the beauty brand Jeon So-mi launched last year used a design similar to the Red Cross emblem on packaging for a new product promotion. In response, viewbelle Korea released an official apology on the 6th, saying they had carelessly used a similar design while trying to express the Emotion Emergency Kit concept and explained, "It was not an intentional violation."
The brand said it immediately removed the related content when the controversy arose and is directly negotiating with the Korean Red Cross. It added that it would strengthen design review and communication procedures to prevent recurrence.
But with the filing of the complaint, the controversy appears to be spreading further. Under article 25 of the Korean Red Cross Organization Act, the Red Cross emblem or a similar emblem may not be used for business or promotional purposes except by the Red Cross or authorized organizations.
Fans reacted, "The timing is so unfortunate," "It's sad that this controversy arose just as she was preparing to try acting," and "I hope she explains sincerely and returns in good form."
Meanwhile, Jeon So-mi will challenge serious acting for the first time in 'Perfect Girl', which is scheduled to begin filming in October. She was set to appear alongside global actors Adeline Rudolph and Aaden Cho, among others, promising a new transformation, but this controversy has damaged her image even before her debut.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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