South Korean restaurant faces backlash for using late actor Choi Bool-am for promotion

A restaurant in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, is facing intense public criticism for using the passing and burial location of late actor Choi Bool-am to promote its business on social media.

Following Choi's death at age 87 on the 29th, the establishment posted a video featuring the actor's photograph and noted that his final resting place at Donghwa Gyeongmo Park is located near the restaurant. The post included an announcement that the shop would provide free soju and beer to customers during the memorial period.

While the restaurant claimed the post was intended to express gratitude and honor the actor, many netizens accused the business of exploiting a person's death for commercial gain. The controversy escalated when the restaurant responded to critics by stating they would decline visits from those expressing negative opinions.