In September, Jungkook was spotted wearing a shirt sold by his older brother’s newly launched brand Graffiti On Mind. That’s why there were allegations that Jungkook was secretly advertising.
Recently, a Korean netizen filed an official complaint against Jungkook to the Fair Trade Commission. He had requested the commission to investigate that the brand had seen “an unimaginable increase in profits” due to Jungkook‘s “frequent sharing of the brand“.
Six6uys launched the clothing brand, Graffiti On Mind, in early September this year and Jungkook wore the brand’s shirt on the broadcast. A few days later, he wore the same shirt in a different color in a selfie uploaded to Twitter and Weverse. BTS is a top boy group that represents South Korea, with an astronomical status and influence. Even if Jungkook did not personally share a review of the product or ask his fans to buy it after uploading the photo to social media, he could see an unimaginable rise in the profits simply by giving the brand frequent exposure. As such, this could detriment a fair and free market—which is something that the Fair Trade Commission strictly prohibits. I request that the commission looks into the matter thoroughly.
— The Person Filing The Report
In an interview with Korean media’s Hankyung, the Fair Trade Commission representative explained – based on the details disclosed so far – that he had no “intent” to manipulate profits, and therefore, Jungkook‘s action is unlikely to be described as a risk.
Based on the details revealed thus far, it is unlikely for Jungkook’s action to be defined as a manipulative, under-the-table advertisement. ‘The intent to deceive’ constitutes an under-the-table advertisement. The commission will further verify the facts, but if Jungkook has not spoken about the shirt in question, then the commission will not perceive his action [of wearing the shirt] as having an intent to deceive.
— Fair Trade Commission Representative
Regarding the claim that Jungkook “damaged a fair and free market by exposing the brand and making a profit,” the representative stated that the Fair Trade Commission is reviewing this action from multiple angles to determine whether this action is truly infringing. He emphasized that it is not a violation of the law for Jungkook to simply wear an outfit.
