In late April, Hite Beer released its new TV commercial featuring “Descendants of the Sun” actor Song Joong-ki as new endorser of the beverage. Fans of the Hallyu star were happy that the number 1 beer brand in South Korea was added to the growing list of the actor’s endorsement.
In just a little over a month’s time, the situation has change. Fans of Song Joong-ki are angry at Hite Beer because the Seoul-based brewery allegedly used the 30-year-old actor’s cardboard cutout for its recent charity golf event.
Soompi reported that the fans are mad at the company, Hitejinro, because the cutout was allegedly used as a golf target. The basis of their anger is an online post of the event showing a female golfer and the actor’s cutout in the middle of the golfing range.
But Hitejinro denied that Song Joong-ki’s cardboard cutout was used as golf target. In a statement posted on the company’s official social media account, the beer maker explained: “We officially apologize for offending Song Joong Ki and everyone who loves him. Unlike the rumors, the cutout was not used for a hit-the-target game, but rather, an event to strike the ball into the 30m diameter hole which is situated at the 200m mark.”
Kpopherald clarified that the cutout was used to mark the location of an event zone. Besides saying sorry to the actor and his followers, Hitejinro also a letter of apology to Blossom Entertainment, the actor’s talent agency.
Some fans accepted the explanation. In the comments section of Soompi, ajshawol1990 wrote, “It was for a charity event. But the management should have been a little more careful.” RoAnon9935 added, “IT’s for charity I don’t think song joong ki would care.”
However, the explanation apparently did not suffice for Mondaigirl94 who angrily wrote, “I wanna buy your poster and use that ugly mug u call a face as target practice for my fists. if I had a brother we could have played darts on your face for every pimple you’re having you r a ugly dirt man.”