Tae Jina and Lee Jaeyong Bristle at Talk of Appearing at Jeon Hangil Concert: "We Do Not Do Political Events"

Jeon Hangil Explains, "I Only Trusted What the Event Company Told Me"

Singer Tae Jina, Mr. Jeon Hangil. Provided by Tae Jina, Reporter Kim Hyunmin

Singer Tae Jinah has taken legal action against the organizers of a concert after his name appeared on the lineup for a show involving Jeon Hangil, a far-right YouTuber and former Korean history instructor. Broadcaster Lee Jaeyong, who was also listed as an emcee, protested as well, saying that there had not even been any contact with him.

On February 22, the YouTube channel "Jeon Hangil News" promoted the "March 1 Independence Movement Day Commemorative Freedom Concert," scheduled to be held on March 2 at KINTEX in Goyang, and posted a poster featuring photos of performers including Tae Jinah and Lee Jaeyong.

Tae Jinah's agency, Jina Entertainment, stated, "A few days ago, an event official came to us to ask about Tae Jinah's availability, and we did say that 'the schedule is possible,'" and added, "We asked whether it was a political event, given that it is right before the local elections, but they replied that it was 'just a regular event at KINTEX.'"

The agency said it would file civil and criminal complaints against the official in question on charges of defamation, and also take legal action against the YouTube channel "Jeon Hangil News" for using Tae Jinah's photo without permission. It stressed, "Tae Jinah has never once accepted the many offers he has received from political circles, and he has absolutely no intention of appearing at political events in the future."

After seeing the poster, Lee Jaeyong drew a line, saying, "I do not even know who Jeon Hangil is, and I have never received any contact from the organizers regarding this event." He told the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper, "It was only after acquaintances contacted me that I found out my name had been put on the poster," adding, "I have no intention whatsoever of taking part in a political event." He also said, "As a freelance broadcaster, it is an iron rule for me to maintain political neutrality," and he demanded that the organizers remove his name from the list.

YouTuber Jeon Hangil, the organizer of the event, said on his YouTube channel the same day, "All I did was receive the poster from the event company and introduce the lineup, so I am baffled that they are suddenly talking about filing complaints," and added, "I can understand it, as it seems Tae Jinah's side is responding this way because of political pressure and the burden it creates."

Attorney Lee Sungjik, Jeon's legal representative, explained, "A professional event planning company that signed a formal service contract was solely responsible for booking the singers and producing the promotional materials," and said, "Jeon Hangil News was not directly involved in the communication errors during the booking process."

At present, Tae Jinah's photo and name have been removed from the promotional materials for the event.