Comedian Kim Su-young's marinated crab live stream sparks controversy over chat bans for origin inquiries

A controversy is brewing following allegations that viewers asking about the origin of ingredients were banned from the chat during a live sales broadcast for marinated crab promoted by comedian Kim Su-young. After hearing that the blue crab used was domestic, some viewers reportedly had their chats blocked when they inquired about the origins of the seasonings and sauces used. While the seller admitted to an excessive response during the chat management process, they clarified there was no intention to deceive consumers.

The controversy surrounding the live sales broadcast for 'Young-i's Marinated Crab,' in which Kim Su-young participates, has spread across online communities and social media. While Kim emphasized that the blue crab is domestic during the broadcast, some viewers claimed they were blocked after asking about the origins of sub-ingredients, such as chili powder and seasonings. The central issue has emerged as to how the seller interpreted these inquiries, which were basic pieces of information consumers seek before making a purchase.

The product's detailed information specifies the origins of the blue crab and the sauces separately. The soy-marinated crab consists of 34% blue crab and 66% sauce; while the blue crab is domestic, the sauce is listed as being from foreign sources. The amino acid liquid used in the sauce is listed as originating from India, the United States, China, and other locations. The seasoned crab consists of 50% blue crab and 50% sauce, with the chili used in the seasoning noted as being from China. Since the origin of the blue crab itself can differ from the ingredients used in the seasonings and sauces, it appears consumers were attempting to verify these specific details.

On the 18th, a consumer filed a complaint on the product's inquiry board. The consumer, who was watching the YouTube live broadcast and intended to order the product because it looked delicious, protested after being blocked for asking about the origin, asking, "Is asking a question itself considered a malicious comment?" Other claims surfaced that viewers were blocked after inquiring about the origin of the chili powder and seasonings, raising questions about whether inquiries regarding origins were being treated as negative comments or malicious attacks.

As the controversy grew, Heo Su-yang, the representative of Suyoung Fisheries and wife of Kim Su-young, admitted in a phone call with the media that there were issues in the chat management process. She stated, "The person managing the chat responded excessively." However, she explained that if certain remarks are repeated, it can cause difficulties in conducting the broadcast, and maintained that there was no intention to deceive consumers.

Kim Su-young also stated that he did not intend to hide the fact that Chinese seasonings were used. "There were people inciting others by claiming I used Chinese seasonings in the live broadcast," he said, adding, "The origins are all listed on the detailed product page. Nothing was hidden." He suggested that the chat management was carried out while responding to certain malicious claims.

This controversy is expanding beyond the disclosure of product origins to the issue of how consumer questions should be handled during live sales broadcasts. Even if the origins are disclosed on the detailed page, blocking consumers who seek additional verification during a broadcast can create separate disputes. Particularly as live sales broadcasts are spaces where sellers and consumers communicate directly to make purchasing decisions, a management method that distinguishes legitimate inquiries from malicious slander is important.

The seller clarified that there was no intention to hide origins or deceive consumers, but also admitted to an excessive response during the chat management process. Ultimately, the core of this controversy goes beyond whether the product information was disclosed and lies in whether consumers were able to freely verify the information they were curious about. With questions about origins escalating into a chat ban controversy, the seller's communication methods are drawing renewed attention.

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