'Butter Beer Beer' Controversy: Urban Zakapa's Park Yong-in Apologizes for 'Causing Water' [Star Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

Urban Zakapa member Park Yong-in apologized regarding the controversy over his exaggerated advertising of Butter Beer Beer.

On the 29th, the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 3 (Appeal) (D) held the first trial of the appeal against Park Yong-in's alleged violation of the Food Labeling and Advertising Act.

On that day, Park Yong-in bowed his head and said, "I am sorry for causing trouble."

The Prosecution Service requested a one-year prison sentence on that day, the same as the first instance, asking the court to overturn the original verdict regarding Park Yong-in's charges.

Previously, on February 18, the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Sole Judge) sentenced Park Yong-in to eight months in prison with a two-year probation. Additionally, the court fined the Virtual Company, which was responsible for Park Yong-inLee (CEO), 10 million won.

However, the Prosecution Service filed an appeal against the first-instance verdict on February 24, sending the case to the second instance.

According to the Prosecution Service, the Virtual Company, which was responsible for Park Yong-inLee (CEO), and others are suspected of selling beer in convenience stores and other locations from May 2022 to January last year without using butter as an ingredient, yet advertising as if they had used it. The Virtual Company is known as a licensing planning company that planned and advertised BEURRE (Butter) beer, called Butter Beer.

In response, the Seoul Regional Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reported the Virtual Company, liquor manufacturer Bruu Guru, and distributor GS Retail to the police in March 2023. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety viewed the use of 'Beurre,' which means butter in French, in the product name as false and exaggerated advertising, even though no butter was added to the beer.

Regarding this, Park Yong-in explained in a long post, "We planned the beer with the goal of providing consumers with a new sensory experience. In line with this plan, we developed a product with a smooth and rich flavor in the beer, and during the process, many people said it had a smooth flavor like butter." He added, "We introduced that the beer has a smooth flavor like butter. This was an expression intended to emphasize the product's characteristics, similar to how products in alcoholic beverages, coffee, and other favorite foods are described as having flavors of flowers, fruits, chocolate, nuts, or trees even if those ingredients are not actually included."

He continued, "Fortunately, our beer was chosen by consumers in a short period and came to be called Butter Beer Beer, raising some controversy over this expression. This beer is intended solely for adult consumers, and we accurately labeled the ingredients in accordance with relevant laws. Nevertheless, in accordance with the guidance of our institutional investors, we immediately changed the advertising copy 'Butter Beer Beer' to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and further controversy, and we also added butter to all products produced thereafter." He emphasized, "However, the Prosecution Service disagreed with our position and sought a trial in court. In the upcoming trial process, we will diligently explain that we did not intend to mislead consumers and will make up for any shortcomings."

Park Yong-in also added, "Once again, we sincerely apologize to the many who have supported our Virtual Company. In the future, we will do our best to ensure consumer satisfaction."

At the time, the first-instance court stated, "It appears that Park Yong-in was inspired by the Butter Beer Beer from the novel 'Harry Potter.' Universal Studios sells actual beverages containing butter, and consumers seem to share and enjoy Butter Beer Beer recipes out of curiosity. Considering Park Yong-in's recognition and fame, there is a possibility that consumers may mistakenly believe butter was actually included when viewing the advertisement." The court also noted, "The representative of Bruu Guru, the manufacturer that produced and supplied the beer, submitted a letter of severe punishment request to the Prosecution Service and testified that 'it is physically impossible to add butter to beer, and the expressions 'Butter Beer Beer' and 'Butter Beer' cannot be used.'" In this regard, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety had notified Bruu Guru of an administrative penalty to suspend beer manufacturing for one month in March 2023.

The court further stated, "Consumers perceive it as Butter Beer Beer, and the beer in Harry Potter actually contains butter. Park Yong-in could have fully recognized that there was a problem because butter was not included in the product, indicating significant intent." The court concluded, "This violated the order of fair trade, and after being indicted, on January 3, 2024, a false statement was released claiming that butter was added to the product to avoid further controversy. This content was spread to the public through media reports. The attitude was poor."

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*This content was translated by AI.