[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.View Original

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

Heo Gag's agency OS Project announced via official SNS on the 30th: "We have confirmed that promotions using the singer's name and photo were conducted as if Heo Gag was scheduled to appear at an opening event for a restaurant located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, causing 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. The agency also stated it would proceed with legal measures, including sending a formal notice of content certification if these demands were not fulfilled.

The agency side pointed out: "Although Heo Gag's name and photo were removed, key content such as 'a special surprise stage is being prepared' and 'the singer will make a surprise visit to perform live' was left 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 the day, we learned that some people made reservations or visited the venue believing in the promotion that Heo Gag would appear. As a result, we faced unnecessary misunderstanding and criticism."

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

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

Hello, this is OS Project.

Regarding the opening event for the restaurant 'Shae***' located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province on August 29, we have confirmed that promotions using the singer's name and photo were conducted as if Heo Gag was scheduled to appear, causing confusion and damage to customers who visited the venue.

We hereby provide the accurate facts.

- On August 4, 'Shae***' requested singer Heo Gong, twin brother of Heo Gag, to perform at the restaurant's opening event. Heo Gong accepted the request and agreed to appear 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's appearance was scheduled. They apologized repeatedly.

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

- Subsequently, 'Shae***' removed Heo Gag's name and photo from online event announcements but retained key promotional content 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 on 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 the day, we learned that some people made reservations or visited the venue believing in the promotion that Heo Gag would appear. Cases have also been confirmed where individuals waited at the venue for Heo Gag's appearance or were informed that he would arrive shortly. In this process, singer Heo Gag was falsely presented as appearing at an event he had no involvement with, leading to unnecessary misunderstanding and criticism.

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

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

Additionally, we are accepting reports from anyone who visited based on the belief that Heo Gag would appear at this event, saw promotional materials using Heo Gag's name and photo at the venue, or received information about Heo Gag's appearance from company representatives. If you have objective materials such as related photos, videos, reservation records, messages, promotional materials, or on-site announcement 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 and 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.View Original