Park Seo-joon wins 60 million won portrait rights lawsuit - "Excessive Response" vs "Legitimate Rights" sparks heated debate
Remember that feeling when you see your favorite celebrity's face plastered on random restaurant banners? Well,
Park Seo-joon
just proved that even stars have limits.
The heartthrob actor recently won a partial victory in his lawsuit against a restaurant that used his drama scenes for advertising without permission - and the internet is absolutely divided.
The whole drama started when a soy sauce marinated crab restaurant continued using Park Seo-joon's photos from the hit tvN series "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim" for their promotional materials. Despite multiple requests to stop since 2019, the restaurant kept using banners with phrases like "The crab restaurant that even Park Seo-joon fell for" and "Park Seo-joon's storm eating show of soy sauce crab".
The Numbers Game That Got Everyone Talking
Here's where it gets interesting - initially, media reports claimed Park Seo-joon was seeking a whopping 6 billion won (approximately ₹37 crores) in damages. But his agency quickly clarified that the actual amount was 60 million won (around ₹37 lakhs). The court sided with Park Seo-joon, acknowledging the portrait rights violation but awarded only 5 million won (about ₹3 lakhs) considering the restaurant's scale and the nature of the infringement.
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To put this in perspective, ₹37 lakhs might seem like pocket change for a top-tier actor, but it's about making a statement. It's like when your local chai wallah uses
Shah Rukh Khan
's photo without permission - the principle matters more than the money.
The Great Divide - Netizens Battle It Out
The lawsuit result has split Korean netizens faster than you can say "Gangnam Style." One camp argues that Park Seo-joon went too far, especially since the restaurant had cooperated during the drama's filming.
"Taking legal action against a place that helped with drama shooting is too much," some commented.
But the other side isn't backing down. They're pointing out that using someone's photo for commercial purposes for years without permission is clearly wrong. "There should be consequences for commercial activities that exploit celebrity fame," supporters argue.
Why This Case Matters Beyond the Headlines
This isn't just about one actor and one restaurant - it's about an entire industry practice that's been flying under the radar.
Walk through any commercial district in Seoul (or Mumbai, for that matter), and you'll spot countless restaurants, cafes, and shops using celebrity photos from TV shows and movies in their advertising.
The case highlights the clash between celebrity portrait rights that need protection and industry practices that have been tacitly accepted for years. It's similar to how Bollywood filming locations often use actors' photos for promotion - the line between legitimate marketing and unauthorized exploitation can get pretty blurry.
This legal precedent could force both the broadcasting and restaurant industries to establish clearer guidelines within legal boundaries. For young entrepreneurs and content creators, it's a wake-up call about respecting intellectual property rights, even when "everyone else is doing it."
The Park Seo-joon case serves as a fascinating mirror to our own entertainment industry dynamics. Just like how restaurants near film shooting locations often capitalize on celebrity visits, the temptation to leverage star power for business growth is universal. However, this lawsuit reminds us that fame comes with legal protections, and businesses need to navigate these waters more carefully. Whether you're team Park Seo-joon or team restaurant, one thing's clear - the days of casually using celebrity images without permission might be numbered.
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