Kakao Entertainment denies allegations of "reverse virality" against idols from other agencies

Kakao Entertainment, which has been investigated by the Fair Trade Commission for suspicions of intentionally posting slanderous statements online against a rival company group, has been accused of "reverse virality" (= spreading negative content). Forming negative public opinion) actively explained that the suspicions were not true.

On the 17th, an official from Kakao Entertainment said, "It is true that the Fair-Trade Commission conducted an on-site investigation at Kakao Entertainment's headquarters on the 16th. However, it is difficult to discuss the details such as the cause and purpose of the investigation." conveyed the position.

According to industry sources, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) sent investigators to Kakao Entertainment's headquarters in Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on the 16th to conduct an on-site investigation.

The Fair-Trade Commission is investigating allegations that Kakao Entertainment may have intentionally slandered idols from rival agencies while advertising its own idols while commissioned to operate the Facebook account ``Idol Research Institute''. reportedly. This is because it constitutes a basis for violating the Fair-Trade Law, which prohibits the act of inducing customers of rival companies to trade with the company. "Idol Institute" is a Facebook account that publishes entertainment-related content and has about 1.32 million followers.

Kakao Entertainment denied this, saying, "The suspicion of reverse virality is not true."

"Idol Institute" also caused controversy for copyright infringement. As a result, the account has been closed since last month.

An official from Kakao Entertainment said, "We have confirmed that there were posts that violated some copyrights due to the failure of the agency that operated the idol research institute. We closed the account as soon as we became aware of the incident."