"Review That Killed the Mood"... Netizens Boiling Over Owner's 'Verbal Abuse and Sexual Harassment'

Sexual Harassment Toward Reviewer Saying "I Like the Phrase 'I Live Alone'"
Cases of Verbal Abuse and Threats Including "Keep Suffering" and "I Know Your Home Address"

The attitude of the business owner responding to customers who wrote food reviews through a delivery application is causing controversy. The photo is not related to any specific expressions in the article. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Controversy over business owners' attitudes has erupted after a restaurant owner made sexually harassing remarks to a customer who wrote a food review through a delivery application (app). Previously, some business owners responded to customer complaints with abusive language and insults, and even threatened by saying, "I know your home address," sparking public outrage online.

Netizens are pouring criticism on a business owner who made sexually harassing remarks toward a customer who left a review in the rating section of a delivery application (app). / Photo by Internet homepage capture

On the 10th, a post titled "A Tonkatsu Restaurant Review That Made the Atmosphere Awkward" was uploaded on an online community bulletin board. The post included screenshots of a tonkatsu restaurant review posted on a delivery app and the owner's comments in response.

In the captured images, the customer who ordered tonkatsu left a positive review saying, "It's very delicious, good value for money, and the curry is also tasty. I think I will order often from now on."

However, the owner replied to the review with an absurd comment. He said, "I'm already excited by your saying 'often.' Some of my favorite phrases are 'It's delicious,' 'I will order often,' and 'I will order again.' But my favorite phrase is 'Oppa, I live alone.'"

This sparked anger among netizens. They criticized that the owner's attitude toward a customer who left a positive review was inappropriate and could be perceived as sexual harassment.

One netizen said, "He might think he gave a witty reply, but think about how the customer reading that comment would feel. It's creepy." Another netizen pointed out, "The joke crossed the line. He should apologize quickly."

Some business owners have come under scrutiny for verbally abusing and threatening customers over star rating reviews. / Photo by Internet Community Capture

This is not the first time business owners' responses to delivery app reviews have caused controversy. Recently, a porridge restaurant owner drew public outrage after responding to a customer's review saying, "I ordered because I had severe laryngitis, but it was just so-so," with, "I worked 16 hours to make it, so if you feel that way, go order somewhere else," and "I hope you don't get better."

There have also been cases where owners made statements that could be interpreted as threats toward customers. One owner responded to a customer's comment that the soup was salty by saying, "I delivered there, so I know where it is," and "If there is something wrong with our product, call and show it directly or report it. Why do you cowardly do this behind a keyboard?"

Another owner said to a customer, "I will come, I really want to see your face," and "If you don't want me to make things worse, contact me or keep your intercom on."

Amid these situations, domestic delivery app service providers have recently been actively monitoring and managing reviews.

The leading domestic delivery app provider, 'Baedal Minjok,' has deleted a total of 62,000 false and malicious posts as of April 2019 since launching its service in 2010.

Meanwhile, 'Yogiyo' has introduced technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and filter false and abusive posts in real time, strengthening sanctions.