A Korean restaurant in Los Angeles is facing backlash after it was caught using the names of major K-pop stars with global fanbases to promote its business without permission.
Recently, Toad House, a Korean restaurant in LA’s Koreatown, posted a photo of Jennie’s autograph and made a sensational claim on social media that she had visited with V and the two left without being noticed by other customers.
The restaurant’s fictional story of V and Jennie dining together… the ugly side of “star marketing” exposed as a lie
But fans quickly debunked the restaurant’s claim by meticulously checking the stars’ schedules. It was shown that Jennie and V’s movements during their stays in the U.S. did not line up with the restaurant’s account, and not a single piece of concrete evidence was offered. The restaurant’s ploy to draw customers with sensational star marketing had completely backfired.
After the controversy erupted, the restaurant abruptly deleted only the posts about V, without offering an apology or explanation. It then added an absurd promotional post addressed to Jennie, saying it would “serve her the best samgyeopsal.”
The public is looking coldly on the reckless noise marketing by an overseas restaurant targeting artists who made no comment during the 2022 dating rumors or the 2023 breakup rumors, as well as the restaurant’s brazen response after the fact.
