Singer and entrepreneur Jeon Somi has issued an apology after her beauty brand GLYF came under fire for using a logo resembling the Red Cross emblem on one of its promotional products.
Apology and Recall Following Logo Controversy
On November 6, GLYF released an official statement admitting that the design of its “Emotional Emergency Prescription Kit” inadvertently contained elements that could be “mistaken for the emblem of the Korean Red Cross.”
“We sincerely apologize for including design elements similar to the Red Cross mark,” the brand said. “We failed to fully recognize the historical, humanitarian, and legal significance of the symbol during production.”
GLYF confirmed that it has halted all promotional content featuring the controversial design and has begun recalling and redesigning distributed packages. “We deeply reflect on this incident and will act with greater responsibility and care moving forward,” the company added.
Public Criticism Over Red Cross Misuse
The controversy began after GLYF announced a giveaway of five limited-edition PR kits to promote its new product line. The kits, designed to resemble a first-aid box with a white background and red cross, quickly drew criticism online for mimicking the official Red Cross logo — a symbol protected under both international humanitarian law and the Korean Red Cross Organization Act, which prohibits commercial use.
Violations of this regulation can result in fines of up to ₩10 million (≈ $7,200) or administrative penalties.
This isn’t the first time the issue has surfaced in K-pop. In 2024, girl group (G)I-DLE faced similar backlash for wearing stage costumes featuring the Red Cross symbol during promotions for “Klaxon”. The group later issued an apology and made donations to the Korean Red Cross.
About Jeon Somi and GLYF
Jeon Somi, who debuted in 2016 as the center of project group I.O.I, launched her solo career in 2019 and is currently signed under The Black Label, led by producer Teddy.
She founded GLYF in April 2024, taking an active role in product development, packaging design, and brand management. The brand, marketed as a trendy and youthful K-beauty line, has gained attention for its sleek visuals and Somi’s personal involvement — though this incident marks its first major controversy.