LE SSERAFIM is the next idol group to remove Synnara Record from the list of pre-order links ahead of the release of their new album.
On April 3rd, through Wevers, the pre-order links from all websites excluding Synnara Record for LE SSERAFIM’s first full album ‘UNFORGIVEN’ to be released on May 1st, were posted.
However, it is possible to purchase LE SSERAFIM’s new album normally on the website of Synnara Record. Only the pre-order sales links have excluded Synnara Record.
The exclusion of Synnara Record from idol group album sales promotions began with IVE, which made a comeback on April 10th.
After IVE, the agencies of Apink, Lee Chaeyeon, Sunmi, Jaurim, and SEVENTEEN also excluded Synnara Record from their artists’ new album pre-order sales link.
The reason why the use of Synnara Record has been prohibited in idol group advertisements is because it was mentioned in the recent MBC documentary “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” released on Netflix.
Aga Dongsan is a newly established religion founded by Kim Ki Soon in 1982. The production team of “In the Name of God” explained that Kim Ki Soon made her followers do labor and founded Synnara Distribution (now Synnara Record) through donations, which then grew rapidly.
Later in 1995, former members of Aga Dongsan reported six charges against the religious organization, including tax evasion, fraud, and murder, resulting in Suwon District Court and Prosecutor’s Office seeking the death penalty for Kim Ki Soon. However, in 1997, the court ruled her innocent of murder and fraud.
However, she was convicted of tax evasion and embezzlement and sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of 5.6 billion won. Kim Ki Soon was granted bail on the condition of a deposit of 100 million won.
At the time, the presiding judge stated, “Although Kim Ki Soon, the leader of Aga Dongsan, often preached about the end of the world due to environmental pollution, there were no special doctrines or scriptures, and there were no religious ceremonies or evangelistic activities, and free withdrawal was guaranteed, so it cannot be regarded as a cult.”
Meanwhile, Aga Dongsan filed a request for a broadcast ban against Netflix and MBC on March 13th. Then, on March 20th, the request for a broadcast ban against MBC was maintained, but the lawsuit against Netflix was canceled.
However, it was reported on March 29th that they filed a lawsuit for a broadcast ban against the main office of Netflix in the United States.
Source: Wikitree.
