In an unexpected twist to a fan event, South Korean singer and actor Cha Eun-woo has unintentionally caused a telecom nightmare for innocent phone users across Korea.
His agency, Fantagio, launched an ARS (automatic response system) promotion for Cha’s upcoming mini album ELSE, allowing fans to dial a specific number to hear his prerecorded greeting. But as enthusiasm surged, so did the chaos.
The hotline — officially announced as 070-8919-0330 — opened on November 4 at 3:30 p.m. KST and received over 100,000 calls within a short period. Fans who entered the wrong digits accidentally called similar-looking numbers, flooding everyday citizens with a barrage of unintended calls.
Some of these mistakenly dialed recipients reportedly endured nonstop ringing from overly eager fans trying to connect with their idol. The incident sparked complaints and confusion, prompting Fantagio to release an apology.
In a statement, the agency emphasized the correct number and urged fans to verify the digits before calling: “We sincerely apologize to anyone who was negatively affected by this situation. Please note the only valid number is 070-8919-0330.”
The timing of the incident added to the buzz, as Cha Eun-woo is currently serving in the military’s army band, having enlisted in late July. He recently gained attention for hosting a welcome dinner during the APEC summit in Gyeongju on October 31.
Despite being in the military, Cha continues to remain in the spotlight. His new mini album ELSE is set to drop on November 21 at 1 p.m. KST, while his film First Ride has just premiered in theaters.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
You must be logged in to post a comment.