• IVE's Jang Wonyoung's legal battle with YouTuber Sojang continues, mediation set for May

    IVE's Jang Wonyoung and her agency, Starship Entertainment, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute with a YouTube channel known as 'Sojang', which they've identified as a purveyor of fake news. They've now scheduled a mediation session for May.

    The Seoul Central District Court is set to oversee the mediation proceedings on May 17th. This is part of the lawsuit where Jang Wonyoung is seeking damages of 100 million won from Ms. A, the person behind 'Sojang'.

    Previously, the court decided to refer the case for mediation. This is a process where both parties attempt to reach a mutual agreement to resolve the lawsuit. If an agreement is reached, the lawsuit concludes. However, both Jang Wonyoung and Starship Entertainment have made it clear that their position remains firm.

    Starship Entertainment has been outspoken about their ongoing legal battles against 'Sojang'. They allege that the channel has continuously harassed their artists and spread false information, causing significant harm to the artists and their fans. They're committed to holding the channel accountable through their ongoing lawsuits.

    Jang Wonyoung's lawyer, Jeong Gyeong Seok, has downplayed the significance of the court's decision to refer the case for mediation. He stated that their primary focus is on securing compensation from the defendant. He also mentioned that there has been no contact with the other party yet, but discussions might occur during the mediation.

    In May 2023, Starship Entertainment received an order from the US District Court for the Northern District of California to provide information. This month, they obtained significant information about the operator of 'Sojang' from Google's US headquarters. They've expressed their strong intention to take legal action against 'Sojang' with Google's cooperation.

    Starship Entertainment managed to secure a partial victory for Jang Wonyoung in October 2023 without any argument or judgment announcement from the court. However, Ms. A is currently trying to avoid paying compensation by appealing against the judgment, applying for a stay of enforcement of the lawsuit result, and even depositing 100 million won.

    During the second hearing of the lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court, Jang Wonyoung's lawyer argued that it's not clear what proportion of the total profit made by Ms. A's defamation or business interference is. He mentioned that it might be possible to distinguish it, but Ms. A deleted the account, so only the total profit is known.

    Source[1]

  • BTS's Jin Breaks Records Again! Laneige Sees Biggest Sales Ever Thanks to His Star Power

    BTS’s Jin, the global ambassador for Laneige, has once again proven his incredible influence by helping the brand achieve its highest-ever sales record.

    Since expanding into the U.S. market in 2018, Amorepacific’s global beauty brand Laneige has experienced massive growth, largely fueled by the rising popularity of K-pop. However, Laneige hit a new milestone during the Black Friday & Cyber Monday (BFCM) event on Amazon U.S., recording an incredible 127% sales increase compared to last year. Many believe this success is due to Laneige’s decision to select Jin as its first-ever male global ambassador.

    Laneige’s rapid expansion has also had a ripple effect on Amorepacific’s overall sales. For the first time, the company’s sales in the Americas have surpassed those in Greater China, highlighting Jin’s massive brand impact.

    Laneige officially introduced Jin as its global ambassador on September 27, 2023, and his involvement led to an instant surge in product demand. His stunning campaign visuals received an overwhelming response, leading to numerous sold-out products and Laneige topping sales charts worldwide.

    According to WWD Japan, Laneige saw an unexpected sales boom thanks to the "Jin effect." The brand manager of Amorepacific Japan’s Laneige division stated, "With BTS’s Jin joining as an ambassador, sales of 'Cream Skin' lotion have significantly increased. Campaign revenue has doubled from our initial expectations, leading to major brand awareness growth."

    Laneige’s Cream Skin, which was heavily featured in Jin’s global campaign, became an absolute bestseller. It secured the No. 1 sales spot on Japan’s Qoo10 marketplace—not just in beauty, but across all product categories! This cemented Jin’s unstoppable global influence.

    In South Korea, Laneige Cream Skin took over Olive Young’s sales rankings across all gender and age groups. It even sold out in offline stores due to overwhelming demand. The product also dominated the sales charts for seven consecutive days on Laneige’s official U.S. website, earning Jin yet another ‘Sold-Out King’ moment.

    Internationally, the campaign’s success led to immediate sellouts in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore, while in Indonesia, it had to be restocked after being wiped out. A limited-edition mini photobook offered with Jin’s Laneige Cream Skin purchases instantly sold out on China’s top online marketplaces, Taobao and Tmall.

    But Jin’s selling power doesn’t stop at beauty brands! In July 2023, he became the first global ambassador for FRED, a prestigious French high-jewelry house. As expected, luxury pieces, including a $100,000 necklace, sold out immediately after his campaign launched.

    In August 2023, he was introduced as a global ambassador for Gucci, and his endorsement caused rapid sellouts in South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

    Jin’s ambassadorship for Alo Yoga also made waves, with WWD reporting that his announcement alone generated $3.6 million in media impact value within just 24 hours! His influence also extends into technology and tourism, as he’s partnered with Dolby and served as Seoul’s tourism ambassador.

    His advertising power is undeniable even in the food industry. In 2022, Jin was selected as the model for Ottogi’s Jin Ramen, and the brand quickly saw its highest-ever ramen export sales. The food industry noted that Korea’s ramen exports experienced a huge boost following BTS’s Jin’s campaign, a trend similar to the worldwide ramen boom triggered by Parasite’s Oscar win in 2020.

    From beauty to luxury fashion, tech, and even food, Jin continues to dominate industries worldwide, proving once again why he is a top-tier global superstar.

    Source (1)