'Butterless Butterbeer' Urban Zakapa's Park Yongin "I Tried to Emphasize the Product's Characteristics"

'Butter-Free Butterbeer' Controversy
"Explain That There Was No Intention to Mislead Consumers"

The product planning company and its CEO behind the so-called 'butterless butter beer,' which sparked controversy, will ultimately face a court ruling.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office indicted Virtue Company, a license planning company that planned and advertised the beer called 'Beurre' (BEURRE·butter), and its CEO Park Yong-in without detention on the 29th of last month. Virtue Company and others are accused of violating the Food Labeling and Advertising Act by advertising the beer sold at convenience stores and other places from May 2022 to January last year as 'butter beer,' 'BUTTER BEER,' and 'butter base,' suggesting that butter was used as an ingredient, even though butter was not used in the raw materials, on social media (SNS) and promotional posters.

Group Urban Zakapa Park Yong-in. [Image provided by Makeus]

In particular, Park, the CEO of Virtue Company, is also a member of the group Urban Zakapa, which drew public attention. In response to the controversy, Park issued a statement saying, "We developed a product with a smooth and rich flavor in the beer, and during the process, many people said it had a buttery smooth flavor." He added, "This was an expression to emphasize the product's characteristics, similar to how flavor notes such as flowers, fruits, chocolate, nuts, and wood are introduced in alcoholic beverages, coffee, and other preferred foods, even if the actual ingredient is not included."

He continued, "We accurately labeled the raw materials according to relevant regulations. Nevertheless, following guidance from related authorities, we immediately changed the advertising phrase 'butter beer' to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and further controversy, and we have since added butter to all products produced afterward." Furthermore, he stated, "We will sincerely participate in the upcoming trial process to fully explain that there was no intention to mislead consumers and will make improvements where there were shortcomings."

[Image source=Park Yongin Instagram]

Meanwhile, Park debuted in 2009 as part of the three-member mixed group Urban Zakapa and has released numerous hit songs such as 'I Don’t Love You,' 'Winter at the Tip of the Nose,' and 'Thursday Night.'

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