"616,000 Won Out of My Own Pocket": Han Ga-in Reveals Purchase History, Samangyeowoo Apologizes for "Careless Action"

Controversy Sparked by Claims of False Advertising for Edible Albumin
Debate Shifts from Hidden Sponsorship to Content Responsibility
Han Ga-in Directly Refutes Allegations by Disclosing Purchase History
Samangyeowoo Apologizes: "I Caused Unnecessary Harm and Distress"

Actress Han Ga-in (44, real name Kim Hyun-joo) was accused of "backdoor advertising" regarding the supplements she introduced, but she publicly refuted the allegation by revealing her purchase history. The YouTuber 'Samangyeowoo,' who had raised the suspicion, has now apologized to Han Ga-in. On September 29, Han Ga-in posted in the community section of her YouTube channel 'Jayu Buin Han Ga-in,' saying, "To clarify the exact facts, I am making my purchase history public," and shared evidence of her payment for the product.

Actress Han Ga-in (44, real name Kim Hyun-joo) directly refuted the 'stealth marketing' suspicions surrounding the supplements she introduced by revealing her purchase records. The YouTuber 'Samangyou', who raised the suspicions, apologized to Han Ga-in. Photo by The Asia Business Daily Database

According to the records she disclosed, Han Ga-in purchased 90 bottles of the product for 616,000 won under her real name "Kim Hyun-joo" on July 23, 2024, before launching her YouTube channel. Later that same year, on November 13, she introduced the supplement on her own channel and was found to have purchased more of the same product again in March 2025, after releasing the video.

Han Ga-in denied the backdoor advertising allegation, stating, "I purchased this product at my own expense without any compensation or sponsorship, even before launching my channel." In a previous statement, she had also emphasized, "This is a 'Bought With My Own Money' piece of content, where I introduce a product I personally bought and used without any compensation or sponsorship. There is no falsehood regarding whether it was an advertisement." However, she apologized for introducing the product's efficacy based solely on her own experience.

She explained, "After giving birth, when I was feeling weak, I started buying and taking it regularly. I felt my condition improved, and that’s why I recommended it to viewers." She added, "However, I was not prudent enough when introducing a health-related product based solely on my personal experience." She continued, "Through this incident, I realized how cautious I must be when sharing information without rigorous verification and relying only on subjective perception. From now on, I will be even more careful in making content."

The controversy began when the YouTuber Samangyeowoo highlighted Han Ga-in’s past supplement introduction video while discussing the efficacy and excessive advertising claims regarding edible albumin products. After Han Ga-in proactively explained and released her purchase history, criticism regarding Samangyeowoo’s video production methods surfaced. In particular, even after Han Ga-in’s clarification, Samangyeowoo created a separate shorts video about the matter, leading some to suggest that it was more about highlighting celebrity controversies than focusing on the original advertising issue.

Eventually, Samang Yeowoo posted an apology on the YouTube community on the 30th and set the corresponding shorts video to private. YouTube channel 'Samang Yeowoo TV'

Ultimately, on September 30, Samangyeowoo posted an apology in the YouTube community and set the related shorts video to private. He stated, "Regardless of the reason, I apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable due to this video. In the recent video discussing albumin, I mentioned Han Ga-in, and even after Han Ga-in apologized, I unnecessarily made a shorts video focusing on her rather than the substance of the issue, which caused misunderstandings."

He went on to say, "As a channel supposed to focus on the real issue, it was an immature and careless decision to cut out and remake that part as a shorts video. I sincerely apologize to Han Ga-in, who may have suffered unnecessary harm and distress because of this." He also emphasized, "Even though I have always pledged not to forget the weight of the responsibility entrusted to me by my audience, I immediately caused problems. I keenly feel my own shortcomings and arrogance." He added, "I will strictly reflect on myself and ensure never to cause this kind of careless behavior that hurts others and distracts from the core issue ever again."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.