'Minju-ya I Like You!' Netflix Illegal Election Controversy... "Promotional Event" VS "No Drama Role"

People Power Party to File Complaint for Violation of Public Official Election Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The global online video service (OTT) Netflix has become embroiled in a controversy over alleged violations of election laws due to a drama advertisement phrase displayed on Seoul city buses.

According to data received by Park Dae-chul, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee from the People Power Party, from the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 26th, Netflix requested the placement of advertisements containing the phrase "Minju-ya, I like you! If you like, it rings" on 12 buses of route 140 in Seoul throughout this month.

This advertisement was intended to promote the drama "Love Alarm," which is currently being serviced by Netflix. However, there was no character named Minju in the drama. In response, the opposition party claimed that it was an attempt to promote the Democratic Party of Korea.

Netflix explained to Representative Park's office that the name was selected through an event where the names of people liked by others were displayed on bus advertisements, and there was no intention to promote any specific political party. The advertisement has since been removed.

However, the People Power Party views this as illegal election campaigning and plans to file a complaint against Netflix for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Kim Cheol-geun, spokesperson for the People Power Party's Central Election Committee, stated in a commentary, "Why promote 'Minju,' who is not even a character in the drama?" and urged, "This is a planned and cunning election interference; the Election Commission must immediately launch an investigation."

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