Concert at Lee Haneul's Gopchang Restaurant? He Said It Was "Unfair"... But Faced a District Crackdown

"It Is Not Illegal," Says Lee Haneul
District Office Crackdown for Violating the Food Sanitation Act

Is it illegal for customers to be allowed to sing or dance in an ordinary restaurant? DJ DOC member Lee Haneul came under inspection by the local government after holding a "surprise concert" with actor Kim Gyuri at the restaurant he runs.

According to the entertainment industry on February 24, Kim Gyuri held a small gathering with fans earlier this month at Lee Haneul's gopchang restaurant in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Afterwards, videos and photos showing Kim Gyuri dancing to one of Lee Haneul's songs were shared on social media.

A "surprise concert" featuring singing and dancing took place at a gopchang restaurant in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, run by DJ DOC member Lee Haneul, and was shared on Kim Gyuri's YouTube.

Some internet users reportedly filed a complaint with the district office that has jurisdiction over the restaurant, claiming that singing and dancing taking place in an ordinary restaurant could constitute a violation of the Food Sanitation Act.

Lee Haneul protested that "this was not illegal business activity," but under current law it is a matter that could lead to the revocation of his business license.

In a video titled "DJ DOC Surprise Concert," Lee Haneul and DJ DOC member Jung Jaeyong turned one side of the restaurant into a makeshift stage, took microphones, played the backing track for "Bounce," and gave an impromptu live performance. Kim Gyuri danced excitedly beside them, while customers filmed them on their phones, clapping and cheering.

After the video was released, the district office with jurisdiction over the area carried out an inspection, on the grounds that allowing customers to dance in an ordinary restaurant violates the Food Sanitation Act.

Lee Haneul said in a live broadcast on his social media (SNS) that he had been inspected by the district office after a netizen who saw the video reported him.

A video that actor Kim Gyuri released on her YouTube channel earlier this month. Kim Gyuri YouTube

He explained, "Kim Gyuri said she wanted to treat her fan club members, so she reserved and paid for all the tables for her fans," adding, "I just sang a song as fan service, and Kim Gyuri, feeling excited, danced once."

Under the Food Sanitation Act, an ordinary restaurant is not allowed to install sound equipment and permit customers to sing or dance. If this is violated, the business first faces a suspension of operations for 1 to 2 months, followed by the revocation of its business license. This provision was implemented in 2015 to prevent ordinary restaurants from operating in the style of so-called "emotional pubs" and effectively running unlicensed entertainment bars.

Some local governments, saying they are creating special tourism zones, have enacted ordinances that allow certain ordinary restaurants meeting specified conditions to install sound equipment and permit singing and dancing. However, safety accidents arising from this have become a major public issue.

During the "Itaewon disaster" that occurred in October 2022, ordinary restaurants in the area where the accident took place were allowed to have dancing and singing under such ordinances. Critics later argued that loud music inside the restaurants delayed customers' evacuation.