The controversy surrounding celebrity chef Baek Jong-won and BTS member Jin (Kim Seok-jin) has intensified after their joint venture, Jini’s Lamp, was reported for violating South Korea’s Origin Labeling Act.
The company, founded in December 2022 with joint investment from Baek and Jin, launched the distilled liquor brand IGIN in December 2024. While Jini’s Lamp oversees production, distribution is handled by Yesan Doga, an affiliate of Baek’s The Born Korea.
On September 23, a whistleblower accused the company of misleading consumers with two products from its “IGIN Highball Tonic” series — the plum flavor and watermelon flavor. The main issue lies in labeling:
- The product pages listed the origin as “domestic,” but detailed information revealed the use of Chilean plum concentrate and U.S. watermelon concentrate.
- Additionally, the watermelon flavor page mistakenly displayed the plum product image, further obscuring ingredient origins.
South Korean law states that violations of agricultural product origin labeling can result in up to 7 years in prison or fines up to 100 million KRW. Corporations may also be penalized under joint liability rules.
The matter gains weight as The Born Korea was already referred to prosecutors in June for a similar violation, raising concerns over repeated offenses within the same corporate group.
An official from the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS) stated, “If the top and bottom origin markings differ, it can confuse consumers. Clear labeling such as ‘see details below’ must be applied.”
Currently, the online store has revised its labeling to “see details in description.” However, the whistleblower emphasized that global figures like Jin must take moral responsibility, regardless of legal liability:
“Collaborations built on public trust must ensure transparency through thorough inspections and honest communication,” they said.
With an investigation underway, both Baek Jong-won and BTS’s Jin face heightened scrutiny over how the case will unfold.
Sources: nate
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