[Official] Heo Gag's side, after hiring twin brother Heo Gong, announces "false restaurant promotion, legal action" [Full text]

*This content was translated by AI.

Heo Gag's management agency has launched legal action against a company that engaged in false promotion.

Heo Gag's agency OS Project announced on its official SNS on the 30th: "We have confirmed that promotions using the singer's name and photo were conducted, making it appear as though our artist Heo Gag was scheduled to perform at an opening event for a restaurant located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do. This has caused confusion and damage to customers who visited the venue."

According to the agency, on the 4th, the restaurant requested to hire Heo Gag's twin brother, singer Heo Gong, which was accepted. However, the restaurant later posted promotional materials stating that Heo Gag would perform. Upon confirmation, the agency demanded deletion of all promotional materials and an official apology. It also stated that if these demands were not met, formal legal measures, including sending a content certification letter, would be taken.

The agency side pointed out: "Although Heo Gag's name and photo were removed, key phrases such as 'a special surprise stage is being prepared' and 'the singer will make a surprise visit to perform live' remained unchanged. Furthermore, the official apology we requested was not posted."

It continued: "On the day of the event on the 29th, we confirmed that promotional materials containing Heo Gag's original photo and name were still displayed at the venue. Through reports from visitors who came to the event on that day, we learned that some people made reservations or visited the venue believing in the promotion that Heo Gag would perform. As a result, we faced unnecessary misunderstanding and criticism."

The agency clarified: "Heo Gag never promised to appear at this event nor was he ever approached for participation. He has no involvement whatsoever in this false promotion."

It added: "Based on the relevant materials and facts we have secured so far, we are conducting a legal review regarding the unauthorized commercial use of Heo Gag's name and likeness by the company, as well as infringement of the artist's reputation and rights due to false promotion, and the resulting damages. If necessary, we will take all possible civil and criminal legal actions."

Hello, this is OS Project.

Regarding the opening event for 'Shae***', a restaurant located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, on August 29, we have confirmed that promotions using our artist Heo Gag's name and photo were conducted, making it appear as though he was scheduled to perform. This has caused confusion and damage to customers who visited the venue.

We would like to clarify the accurate facts below.

- On August 4, 'Shae***' requested singer Heo Gong, Heo Gag's twin brother, to sing at the restaurant opening event. Heo Gong accepted this request and agreed to perform at the August 29 event.

- On August 17, we first confirmed through reports from Heo Gag fans that promotional materials were posted on 'Shae***'s Naver Places news section stating: 'As part of a special opening event on August 29, singer Heo Gag will make a surprise appearance and perform.'

- However, neither our agency nor singer Heo Gag received any performance request or approach regarding this event. We were also completely unaware of the hiring and performance details involving Heo Gong.

- We immediately contacted 'Shae***' to verify the facts. The company explained that although it was not confirmed that Heo Gag would perform, a mistake occurred during business operations, resulting in promotional materials being created and posted as if Heo Gag were scheduled to appear. They apologized repeatedly.

- In response, we demanded the deletion and correction of all promotional materials using Heo Gag's name and photo, along with the posting of an official apology regarding these facts. We also clearly communicated that failure to comply would result in formal legal action, including sending a content certification letter.

- Subsequently, 'Shae***' removed Heo Gag's name and photo from online event announcements but retained key promotional phrases such as 'a special surprise stage is being prepared' and 'the singer will make a surprise visit to perform live.' They did not post the official apology we requested.

- We also confirmed that on the day of the event, August 29, promotional materials containing Heo Gag's original photo and name, which we had demanded be deleted, were still displayed at the venue.

Through reports from visitors who came to the event on that day, we learned that some people made reservations or visited the venue believing in the promotion that Heo Gag would perform. There were also cases where individuals waited at the venue for Heo Gag's appearance or received guidance that he would arrive shortly. In this process, singer Heo Gag was mistakenly presented as participating in an event he had no involvement with, leading to unnecessary misunderstanding and criticism.

Heo Gag never promised to appear at this event nor was he ever approached for participation. He has no involvement whatsoever in this false promotion.

Based on the relevant materials and facts we have secured so far, we are conducting a legal review regarding the unauthorized commercial use of Heo Gag's name and likeness by the company, as well as infringement of the artist's reputation and rights due to false promotion, and the resulting damages. If necessary, we will take all possible civil and criminal legal actions.

Additionally, we are accepting reports from anyone who has relevant facts or materials related to this event, including those who visited based on the belief that Heo Gag would perform, saw promotional materials using Heo Gag's name and photo at the venue, or received guidance about Heo Gag's participation from company representatives. If you have objective materials such as related photos, videos, reservation records, messages, promotional materials, or on-site guidance content, please send them to our agency's representative email address below. We will use the submitted materials for fact verification and future legal action.

OS Project expresses regret to all event visitors who experienced confusion and damage due to this incident. We will actively take all necessary measures to protect the rights and reputation of our artist Heo Gag.

Thank you.

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*This content was translated by AI.