New Coined Term Referring to Jang Wonyoung Used in Product Name
Lucky Biki Mochi to Be Discontinued in November
Company States "We Will Strengthen Pre-Inspection Process"
SPC Baskin-Robbins has been embroiled in controversy for using the girl group member's coined term 'Lucky Vicky' as a product name without permission. Facing criticism that "commercial use without discussion with the member's side goes against business ethics," Baskin-Robbins stated, "We failed to carefully review the prior confirmation process" and "We will strengthen inspection procedures to prevent the same incident from happening again." The new product is scheduled to be discontinued after the stock is depleted.
On the 11th, Baskin-Robbins admitted the mistake to Asia Economy regarding the unauthorized use of Lucky Vicky, saying, "There was a problem in the planning process where we did not carefully consider the parts that required prior confirmation with the artist involved."
The product at the center of the issue is the Lucky Vicky Mochi, released on the 8th to coincide with the college entrance exam season. It is a product shaped like a cute four-leaf clover, filled with chewy glutinous rice cake and salted milk ice cream.
The problem was the coined term Lucky Vicky in the product name. Lucky Vicky is a term used by Jang Wonyoung, a member of the girl group IVE, to refer to herself. It combines 'lucky,' meaning fortunate, and 'Vicky,' her English name. It is mainly used to express a positive mindset toward the reality one faces. It is one of the most frequently used SNS neologisms this year.
When it became known that Baskin-Robbins used Lucky Vicky in the new product name without discussing it with Jang Wonyoung's side, fans and some consumers strongly criticized it. They pointed out, "Lucky Vicky means 'fortunate Wonyoung,' so using a coined term that reminds people of the artist without consultation in the product name is unfair."
After the controversy, Baskin-Robbins was also criticized for deleting the new product from its homepage without issuing an official apology. One consumer said, "If they recognized the problem by causing controversy and deleting the product from the homepage, they should have at least apologized on their official SNS accounts."
However, there are also opinions that the criticism toward Baskin-Robbins is excessive. One consumer said, "Unless Jang Wonyoung registered the trademark for commercial purposes, there is no problem." Another consumer said, "The name Vicky is common and not exclusive to Jang Wonyoung," adding, "The fans' unreasonable claims could actually cause the star to be criticized."
The Lucky Vicky Mochi, at the center of the controversy, is a limited seasonal product produced in small quantities and is currently sold only at Baskin-Robbins offline stores. The news that sales have been stopped is not true. A Baskin-Robbins official said, "Sales will end when the stock is depleted, and we will strengthen prior inspection procedures from the planning stage to prevent the same incident from happening again and be more cautious."
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