Recently, Jeon Somi’s beauty brand came under scrutiny after featuring a design resembling the Red Cross logo in its promotional content. The controversy emerged after the brand unveiled a special PR kit, which included a red cross symbol on a white background, closely mimicking the protected humanitarian emblem.
Under Article 25 of the Korean Red Cross Organization Act, unauthorized usage of the Red Cross symbol is strictly prohibited and may result in fines of up to 10 million KRW or administrative penalties of up to 5 million KRW.
In response to the backlash, the brand issued an official apology, stating, “We sincerely apologize for using a design element that may be perceived as similar to the Korean Red Cross emblem without prior approval.” The company added that it has ceased all publication of the problematic design and related content. They are currently recalling and redesigning the distributed PR kit packages to prevent further misuse.
This is not the first time the misuse of the Red Cross symbol has stirred public criticism in K-pop. In July last year, girl group I-DLE also sparked controversy during their “Klaxon” promotions. During a performance on KBS 2TV’s Music Bank, the members wore lifeguard-style stage outfits featuring the Red Cross emblem, which led to immediate backlash.
Cube Entertainment, I-DLE‘s agency, responded by acknowledging the issue and contacting the Korean Red Cross to issue an apology. They also announced plans to prevent recurrence and coordinated follow-up measures. Eventually, the controversy subsided after the members made donations to aid flood recovery efforts through the Red Cross.
As these incidents show, the Red Cross symbol is not just a decorative logo—it represents humanitarian protection and emergency medical aid. Misusing such emblems in commercial or entertainment contexts undermines their significance and potentially violates international and domestic law.
Calls for stricter awareness and responsible usage of such symbols continue, especially in the entertainment industry where visual design carries immense influence.
Sources: Nate
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