K-pop star Hyoyeon, a member of the iconic girl group Girls' Generation, recently made headlines by confessing to wearing counterfeit luxury items.
The revelation happened during a recent guest appearance on the SBS Power FM variety show "Cultwo Show." During the show, rapper Bbaek Ga noticed Hyoyeon's outfit—a dark grey jacket with an upside-down triangle tag—and exclaimed that she was wearing PRADA. The Girls' Generation member, however, admitted that she was wearing a counterfeit.
"This is fake," she said.
When variety show host Kim Taegyun remarked that Hyoyeon might see herself in the headlines after her admission, the K-pop idol replied, "I mean, I can wear fakes."
For perspective, Hyoyeon has been a prominent figure in the Korean music industry since Girls' Generation debuted in 2007. She is known for her dancing prowess in the group, and her career in Girls' Generation contributed significantly to her financial status. Outside of Girl Group activities, Hyoyeon is known as a DJ. As of 2022, she is estimated to have a net worth of $5 million, per the South China Morning Post.
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It is unclear how netizens would perceive Hyoyeon's admission to using counterfeit luxury items. Several high-profile cases have sparked backlash from fans and the public. One notable incident involved Song Ji-ah, a popular contestant on Netflix's reality show Single's Inferno. She admitted to wearing fake designer clothes and accessories on the show and in her social media content.
Song's confession led to widespread criticism and disappointment among her followers, who had admired her for her seemingly lavish lifestyle. Following the backlash, Song was forced to halt all online activities and remove any content featuring the counterfeit goods from her social media channels.
Under South Korea's laws, the import and export of counterfeit goods can result in severe penalties, including three years of imprisonment and fines of up to ₩30 million (approximately $25,000 USD). While the law is generally strict, there are some exceptions for personal use. Individuals can bring in small quantities of counterfeit goods.
