Professor Lee Guk-jong Advertising Skin Spot Cream?… Japan Illegally Uses Overstepped Photo

Netizens "Professor even changed major... Isn't this crossing the line?"

Photo by Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A controversy has arisen over the unauthorized use of a photo of Professor Lee Guk-jong from Ajou University Hospital in an online advertisement in Japan.

On the 16th, Japanese media Nittere News 24 reported an article titled "The Underhanded Advertising Tactics of Websites," stating, "A photo of a Korean surgeon is blatantly used in an online banner ad in Japan."

According to the report, a banner ad featuring Professor Lee's photo along with phrases such as "kimi" appeared on a Japanese website. However, when clicking on the ad, Professor Lee does not appear; instead, it leads to testimonials and product introductions from others.

Subsequently, the media contacted the company that used Professor Lee's photo without permission, but the company responded, "The advertisement is produced by another company. We cannot disclose the advertising company."

Ajou University Hospital demanded the company remove the advertisement. They also appealed to local media, stating, "Professor Lee is a surgeon unrelated to cosmetic procedures working domestically," and "His photo is being used without permission."

In this regard, Korean netizens also raised concerns, saying, "Since last year, Professor Lee has appeared in advertisements for Japanese diet products, dermatology, and plastic surgery," and "They even changed the professor's specialty. Isn't this crossing the line?"

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Professor Lee's photo was used without authorization not only in the skin cream advertisement but also in ads for diet products, dermatology, and plastic surgery.

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