‘Jeon Han-gil guest’ Jung Min-chan apologizes after posting about Starbucks: “I didn’t know because I was busy with real life” - 스포츠경향

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Musical actor Jung Min-chan, who issued an apology after posting about his visit to Starbucks. From his own Instagram account

Musical actor and trot singer Jung Min-chan posted a beverage sampling post about Starbucks and then issued an apology. As this came right after Starbucks Korea’s apology following controversy over its ‘Tank Day’ event held on the 5·18 Democratization Movement memorial day, the timing came under scrutiny.

On the 20th, Jung Min-chan uploaded to his social networking service (SNS) Instagram a photo of himself drinking a beverage recommended by an employee at a Starbucks store, writing, “Why does it taste like makgeolli? I wonder whether you get drunk if you drink it.”

The drink in question is Starbucks Korea’s Seoul-specialty beverage ‘Seoul Makgeolli-Flavored Cold Brew’, introduced on March 11, and it is non-alcoholic.

The issue was the timing of the post. On May 18, Starbucks Korea held a ‘Tank Day’ event and used the phrase ‘Tak on the desk’, drawing criticism that it evoked the 5·18 martial-law forces’ tanks and the torture-and-death case of martyr Park Jong-cheol. On the 18th, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin issued a direct apology and dismissed the CEO of Starbucks Korea and the executives involved.

There was public criticism over Jung Min-chan’s Starbucks post, and he eventually issued an apology. He said, “I do not really know the news or hot issues because I am busy with real life, so I do not know what to do as so much attention is coming my way,” adding, “Not knowing and being ignorant are also wrong, so I offer my sincere apology. From now on, I will diligently keep up with the news.”

This is not the first time Jung Min-chan has offered the explanation “I did not know.” In February, after his name and photo appeared on the performer poster for the ‘March 1 Commemoration Freedom Concert’ hosted by far-right YouTuber Jeon Han-gil, Jung Min-chan declared he would not participate, saying, “I did receive an offer to appear, but I did not hear a detailed explanation of the event’s purpose,” and, “I have no connection to, and no interest in, this event.” At the time, other scheduled performers such as Tae Jin-ah and Lee Jae-yong also said they had been “duped” and pulled out one after another.

A former member of the Korea National Ballet, Jung Min-chan has broadened his activities as a musical actor and trot singer. He is currently appearing in the musical ‘Diaghilev’ as the genius ballerino Nijinsky.