NewJeans, one of K-pop's hottest groups, recently faced criticism after a complaint was filed against them for using "non-Korean" iPhones in a promotional video for Korean tourism.
The complaint, filed with the National Petition Service, argued that the group should have featured a Korean-made product, such as Samsung, in the video, which aims to promote Korea.
The viewer raised concerns about the "indirect exposure of a specific mobile phone brand" in the ad, calling attention to the use of Apple's iPhone.
In response, the ESG Management team at the Korea Tourism Organization addressed the situation, explaining that NewJeans serves as ambassadors for both the Korean Tourism Organization and Apple’s iPhone.
They clarified, "As NewJeans, the advertisement models, are global models for a particular mobile phone brand, contractual restrictions were preventing them from using competing products from the same industry."
Korean netizens were baffled by the complaint, with many criticizing the petition and defending NewJeans.
Comments included, "They have nothing better to do," and "Leave NewJeans and Apple alone." Others pointed out that Samsung, though a Korean brand, is not a traditional cultural product and saw the complaint as unnecessary.
The controversy has also brought attention to NewJeans' role as global ambassadors for Apple, a fact that many fans found "cool" and interesting.
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