The person who filed a complaint against Genie’s Lamp, the company of BTS member Jin, with the National Agricultural Quality Service (NAQS) for allegedly violating the Classification of Origin Act demanded moral responsibility for these violations.
In December 2022, Baek Jong-won and Jin jointly founded Genie’s Lamp. The company launched its distilled alcoholic beverage “IGIN” in December 2024, with Genie Lamp handling manufacturing, while YSANDOGA, a subsidiary of Baek Jong-won’s The Born Korea, handled distribution.
On September 23, the complainant raised two allegations regarding Genie’s Lamp’s Highball Tonic range, specifically the “Plum Flavor” and “Watermelon Flavor” products offered in online shopping malls.
According to the complainant, although the labels on the “Plum” and “Watermelon” flavors claim that all ingredients are domestic, details revealed that the concentrates were imported from Chile and the United States.
The second allegation, according to the complainant, was that the Watermelon Flavor product page displayed the product information of the Plum Flavor.
Under Korean law, penalties could include imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine of up to 100 million won. The company itself could also be fined due to the principle of “double liability” under the Agricultural and Fishery Products Origin Classification Act.
The complainant also emphasized that Jin, a globally influential artist, must bear moral responsibility regardless of legal liability. He emphasized, “In brand collaborations built on public trust, proactive inspections and transparent communication to ensure the authenticity of labels are essential responsibilities.”
The Born Korea was implicated in a similar case last June, raising expectations of stricter penalties for repeated violations within the group.
Korean opinions:
- “BTS, please don’t get involved in actions like this.”
- “He’s doing all sorts of things. Now even investors are being hurt. Tsk-tsk.”
- “I told you ten years ago… Baek Jong Won is a businessman… not a charity, ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ. How many people in Korea conduct their business with integrity? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ.”
- “Anyway, it seems like one person is reporting everything. They seem determined to expose every little thing about Baek Jong Won’s business. Honestly, it’s not just one or two food companies that do this. Being completely clean is impossible.”
- “Baek Jong Won and Jin… their dream is to eventually become property owners.”
- “If the mistake happened at the company they invested in, does that mean the investor is at fault? It has nothing to do with “The Born Korea,” but simply because they invested, they are said to have violated the law of origin haha. Will all investors be sued? Who will invest then?”
- “Jin lost his money^^”
What do you think?
