KwakTube, Lee Na-eun's Rome video sparks allegations of hidden sponsorship

KwakTube's Rome travel video with Lee Na-eun, released on his YouTube channel on Sept. 16. Captured from YouTube

Travel YouTuber Kwak Joon-bin, better known as KwakTube, and actress Lee Na-eun, formerly of girl group April, face fresh allegations of violating advertising regulations, as their supposedly spontaneous Rome trip is claimed to have been pre-arranged by Lee’s agency, Namooactors.

According to the Fair Trade Commission on Monday, a netizen recently filed a complaint with the National Petition System, accusing KwakTube of violating the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising by not disclosing a possible financial relationship in the travel vlog.

In the video, KwakTube said, “I was originally planning to visit the U.K., but we decided to meet in Italy after Lee Na-eun suggested it,” portraying the trip as a coincidence.

The netizen alleged that the trip was actually coordinated with Lee's agency to improve her public image, making it an implicit contract that required disclosure under advertising laws. The rules require content creators to disclose any economic interests with sponsors when promoting brands or products in their videos.

If any financial transaction took place between KwakTube and Lee, KwakTube could be found in violation of the law for failing to disclose this relationship.

However, some interpretations suggest that because Lee did not receive payment for her appearance, it may not constitute a violation. The case has been assigned to the FTC's Consumer Affairs Division for investigation.

Lee’s agency, Namooactors, denied the allegations, saying, "There was no financial transaction involved. KwakTube covered all travel expenses, and the trip was initiated by him. Lee Na-eun participated with her agency's permission."

The controversy follows KwakTube’s Sept. 16 upload of the travel video with Lee. KwakTube, who has previously spoken out as a victim of school bullying, faced criticism for seemingly defending Lee, who has been accused of being involved in bullying during her time with APRIL. His remark to her, “Sorry for misunderstanding you,” sparked backlash.

In response, KwakTube made the video private and issued two public apologies, acknowledging his failure to consider the harm his comments could cause to bullying victims.

Despite his apologies, the fallout continues, with the Ministry of Education removing KwakTube from a school violence prevention campaign and a planned talk concert in Busan being canceled.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.