Hite (also known as 하이트맥주) is one of the most popular beers in Korea. It’s share of the domestic beer market was 55% in 2002. The boys of Big Bang have recently been involved in a campaign for Hite–with photographs and a commercial (and widgets, lol)
To me it’s a little crazy. G-Dragon was slammed this past week for acting with a woman on a bed during his solo concert. He was cited for violating the child protection act (uh, okay)… and there has been an uproar about it. However, these barely-out-of-their-teens boys are perfectly valid choices to advertise liquor. Just think of all those screaming teenage fans who’ll now want to be like their idols and drink Hite!! w00t!! Drinking is popular in Korea. Everyone does it. And they do it a lot. Soju is one drink that has a rap for being extremely potent and extremely frequently drunk. Adoption websites have babies of mothers addicted to soju. There are photos all over the web of drunken men stumbling and yelling at each other, or passed out in doorways.
In the US that would never happen. If someone was intoxicated in the street like that, they’d most likely be arrested. Young idols like Big Bang would also never be allowed to promote an alcoholic beverage–no matter how innocent the message is. However, the drinking age in the US is 21 (in Asia and Europe–where I grew up–it’s 18) and that affects a lot of things. Kids can be sent to war, get married, have kids, and drive. But they can’t have a beer.
Anyway, that was a bit of a ramble. Here’s the commercial:
Your blog is so informative … keep up the good work!!!!