Omission of Paid Advertisement Label... Kang Min-kyung "I Sincerely Apologize"

Davichi Kang Min-kyung. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Davichi's Kang Min-kyung apologized sincerely regarding the 'YouTube sponsorship' controversy.

On the 17th, Kang Min-kyung wrote on her Instagram, "I felt that I was very lacking and inexperienced in going through various processes and procedures with the joy of doing something alone from start to finish."

Kang Min-kyung said, "It was a day full of thoughts as I looked back on my activities so far. While running the channel, I gained many subscribers and supporters, and I think I spent some time feeling excited," adding, "At the same time, I received many sponsorship and advertising offers from various brands, and in my excitement, I failed to fully consider the position of the subscribers who cherished my channel."

She continued, "By reading the posts of those who felt uncomfortable, I was able to learn about the parts I did not pay close attention to. I will be more careful and cautious in all matters going forward."

Earlier, on the 15th, Dispatch reported that star YouTubers including Kang Min-kyung received tens of millions of won in advertising fees and used sponsored products in their content without properly labeling them as 'paid advertisements.'

In response to the controversy, Kang Min-kyung explained, "For the parts where I received YouTube sponsorships, I indicated that they were sponsored, and for parts where advertisements were conducted, I marked them as advertisements either in the video or in the 'See More' section. I have never committed any illegal acts. The Fair Trade Commission is currently at the recommendation stage regarding the mentioned issues and plans to enforce the rules starting September 1."

Meanwhile, according to the 'Guidelines on Display and Advertising for Recommendations and Endorsements (Recommendation and Endorsement Guidelines)' announced by the Fair Trade Commission on the 23rd of last month, when posting content on YouTube and other platforms, sponsorships should not be indicated only in parts visible by clicking 'See More,' but must be clearly stated so that consumers can easily recognize them.

The full apology statement from Kang Min-kyung is as follows:

Hello, this is Kang Min-kyung.

I would like to address the article about me and YouTube/Instagram from yesterday.

It has already been two years since I started YouTube.

From the beginning until now, I personally handle everything from filming to editing and posting my 'vlogs.'

With the joy of doing something alone from start to finish, I realized that I was very lacking and inexperienced in going through various processes and procedures.

It was a day full of thoughts as I looked back on my activities so far.

While running the channel, I gained many subscribers and supporters, and I think I spent some time feeling excited.

At the same time, I received many sponsorship and advertising offers from various brands, and in my excitement, I failed to fully consider the position of the subscribers who cherished my channel.

By reading the posts of those who felt uncomfortable, I was able to learn about the parts I did not pay close attention to.

I will be more careful and cautious in all matters going forward.

I sincerely apologize to those who felt even a little uncomfortable because of me.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.