Controversy Over 'Minjuya I Like You' Phrase on Bus Rear... Civic Group Files Complaint Against Netflix for Violation of Public Official Election Act

The phrase "Minjuya Joahae" advertisement displayed on a city bus route in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Ahead of the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, a civic group has filed a complaint requesting the prosecution to investigate and the National Election Commission to look into Netflix’s display of the phrase 'Minjuya Joahae' on the back of a city bus in Seoul.

The civic group 'Action Alliance for Establishing the Rule of Law' (Beopse-ryeon) stated on the 27th, "The phrase 'Minjuya Joahae' clearly allows one to infer the name of a political party, and since it was posted just before the election day, it can be seen as an act intended to influence the election."

Beopse-ryeon added, "The investigation targets include the district mayor who approved the advertisement, bus labor union officials, Netflix personnel, and the event participants."

They further said, "There is reasonable suspicion that this phrase undermined the fairness and neutrality of the election and violated the Public Official Election Act," and thus requested a prosecution investigation.

Previously, the marketing phrase 'Minjuya Joahae' from Netflix’s drama 'Love Alarm' was criticized for evoking the Democratic Party of Korea. Notably, it is known that there is no character named 'Minju' in the drama.

Currently, the advertisement has been suspended.

Kim Cheol-geun, spokesperson for the People Power Party’s Central Election Committee, commented, "The National Election Commission, which should manage elections neutrally, only manages the ruling party’s mood, allowing sly electioneering to run rampant. Netflix removed the advertisement after related reports, but once spilled, water cannot be taken back. Many Seoul citizens have already seen the advertisement," criticizing the situation.

He added, "The People Power Party will file a complaint against Netflix for violating election campaign laws," and emphasized, "The National Election Commission must immediately begin an investigation."

Meanwhile, some netizens expressed difficulty understanding the criticism surrounding the advertisement event, responding, "Isn’t this too sensitive?"

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