KARD’s Somin Responds To Paid-Promotion Controversy Surrounding Her YouTube Channel
As many popular YouTubers are getting the heat for not explicitly stating products under paid promotion on their channel, KARD‘s Somin was also recently called out when people realized she had changed the description of her “Things Bought With My Own Money” video to include the term “paid promotion”. As the public begins to rally against celebrities that take in promotional products and introduce them to viewers without owning up to the bag.
Somin has since responded via her official YouTube channel, in a lengthy apology. She explained that she had been contacted by the brand with an offer about using her video as promotional tools, only after she had uploaded the video.
On the 14th of May, I introduced 10 items which I love, as “things I bought with my own money”, and amongst the 10, I talked about the product, from the brand NEEDLY. After I had uploaded the video, NEEDLY contacted me saying they wanted to use screenshots of the product in my video.
— Somin
Somin clarified that this was indirect promotion, rather than paid promotion, given that there was no agreement prior to her creating the video and showcasing the product. She had also made the necessary edits to indicate as such.
I agreed to it and I received the fees for their use of it. I added “indirect promotion” to the information box of the video at an appropriate time after. Thinking that displaying it in the information box may cause confusion for my viewers, I added “includes paid promotion” to it, while deleting “bought with my own money” from the title.
— Somin
Somin also promised to move forward in the clearest manner possible, always explicitly stating if any product or video was done under sponsorship or collaboration.
I wish to indicate that the MINNY J Somin channel will always explicitly state if there is a paid promotion, and in the case where there is no promotion, the video will also state “there is no paid promotion in this video.
— Somin
While Somin, along with other YouTubers such as Tzuyang have already apologized for the matter, others have yet to step up or provide a satisfactory explanation. As the nation turns against these famous YouTubers, including stylist superstar Han Hye Yeon, what will become of the booming YouTube industry?
The full translated post by Somin is as follows.
Hello, this is MINNY J Somin.
I am here today to address the issue at hand, about my “Things I Bought With My Own Money” video, which has become a problem regarding “under-the-table paid promotion”.
On the 14th of May, I introduced 10 items which I love, as “things I bought with my own money”, and amongst the 10, I talked about the product, from the brand NEEDLY. After I had uploaded the video, NEEDLY contacted me saying they wanted to use screenshots of the product in my video.
I agreed to it and I received the fees for their use of it. I added “indirect promotion” to the information box of the video at an appropriate time after. Thinking that displaying it in the information box may cause confusion for my viewers, I added “includes paid promotion” to it, while deleting “bought with my own money” from the title.
This all happened after the initial upload on the 14th of May, and before the 18th of June.
However, as my change in title became part of the issue of “under-the-table paid promotion”, I am here to tell you this today.
Of course, I am sorry for having clearly explained about receiving and approving the offer for paid promotion after the upload of the video. I wish to indicate that the MINNY J Somin channel will always explicitly state if there is a paid promotion, and in the case where there is no promotion, the video will also state “there is no paid promotion in this video”.
I will also include “This is a video in collaboration with __” in the introduction of the video, in the case that I take up paid promotions.
I recognize the gravity of the current controversy surrounding YouTube’s “under-the-table paid promotions”, and I will do my best so as to produce content that will not disappoint the subscribers and fans.
Of course, there will also be content that shows my daily life as a KARD member and singer, as fans wish for.
As my channel grew and I met with producers that I connected well with, I was able to do the “beauty” contents as my priority, however, I have never done so by paid promotion.
All my recent makeup contents, were purely based on me wanting to share about the products and showcase the kind of makeup that I had wanted to do that differs from my current image. There has been no promotional products in them.
I apologize for not delivering a clear explanation and causing misunderstanding with the video in question. Moving forward, I will do my best so as not to cast my viewers and fans into confusion.
Thank you
— Somin
