Overview of the Lawsuit
Parks Seo Joon’s agency, Awesome.ent, has recently provided clarifications regarding a lawsuit involving his name and likeness. The case, initially reported on July 3, centers on disputes over the unauthorized use of the actor’s image and identity by a restaurant owner identified as ‘A’.
Background of the Incident
The dispute arose from scenes filmed for Park Seo Joon’s popular drama, ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim’ in 2018, where he is seen enjoying ganjang gejang, or soy sauce marinated crab. The restaurant, which provided its location for filming, allegedly continued to use Park Seo Joon’s promotional materials without consent for their advertising, leading to legal action.
Agency’s Responses and Court Ruling
In their statements, Awesome.ent explained that requests to remove the unauthorized content began in 2019. Despite several attempts, the restaurant repeatedly ignored removal requests and resumed using promotional materials. The agency indicated that the initial claim for 6 billion won (approximately .4 million) reflected potential losses based on standard annual advertisement fees, adjusted for six years. However, the actual requested amount for damages was set at 60 million won (approximately ,200), taking into account the defendant’s business size and other factors.
Ultimately, the court sided partially with Park Seo Joon, awarding 5 million won (around $3,700) in damages. Awesome.ent also expressed concerns over ongoing defamation and pledged to protect their artist’s image against any future violations. Their firm stance reflects the growing need for accountability in the entertainment industry regarding image rights.
