[Sportschosun Jo Min-jeong] Comedian Kim Kyung-wook has publicly called out an influencer impersonating his alter ego, Tanaka, and warned of a strong response.
On the 18th, Kim Kyung-wook posted a video of the influencer on social media and shared a lengthy statement. The video showed a man taking photos with passersby while copying Tanaka's signature style.
Kim said he had quietly watched the situation because he did not want to make a big issue out of it, but added that he could no longer ignore it as reports kept coming in and people were actually being confused. He explained that he had repeatedly received tips that the person was posing as Tanaka and taking photos with young fans. He also claimed to have heard through direct messages that the impersonator was busking as Tanaka and receiving sponsorships.
Kim said he initially did not think much of it. "I thought there was no way people would really believe it was Tanaka," he said. "But as questions kept coming in, such as 'Did you really see Tanaka in Pohang?' and 'Is it true that he is busking and taking donations?', I realized how serious the situation was." He added that this was not something to simply laugh off, citing a past case in which someone impersonated a famous singer to attend events.
Kim also revealed a past connection with the individual. "Two years ago, at an event, he asked if he could imitate Kim Hong-nam, and I thought he was a fan, so I gladly allowed it," he said. "But imitating someone for fun and making money through impersonation while confusing people are completely different matters." He added, "I directly told him to stop, but this time he is active as Tanaka," and claimed that he had also received reports that comments asking him to stop were being deleted from related videos.
He stressed that "parody and impersonation are clearly different." Kim said he could understand someone playfully imitating him as a fan, but added that continuing to impersonate him after he had clearly expressed discomfort, while engaging in commercial activity, was no longer something he could overlook.
Finally, he said, "I hope this will be the last warning," and added that if the impersonation of Tanaka and Kim Hong-nam continues for profit or to confuse the public, he would have no choice but to consider necessary action, signaling the possibility of legal steps.
Below is Kim Kyung-wook's full statement.
This is a serious problem.
Honestly, I did not want to post something this unpleasant on my feed.
I just wanted to let it pass quietly, and I did not want to make a bigger deal out of it.
So I left it alone until now.
But reports keep coming in, and people are actually being confused, so I can no longer let this go.
I have received multiple reports that someone has been impersonating Tanaka and deceiving young people to take photos with them.
I have also kept hearing through direct messages that this person is busking as Tanaka and receiving sponsorships or collecting money.
At first, I did not think much of it either.
I thought there was no way people would really believe it.
Just as people would not confuse someone imitating PSY with the real PSY, I thought I could simply laugh it off and stay quiet.
But more people than I expected started sending me direct messages.
"Is that person really Tanaka?"
"I heard Tanaka was seen in Pohang. Is that true?"
"Is it true that Tanaka is busking and taking donations?"
These questions and reports kept coming in.
That was when I realized it.
A lot of people were being confused.
So I decided I could no longer just let it slide.
As there was once a so-called fake Park Sang-min incident, in which someone impersonated Park Sang-min and made money by appearing at events, I know very well that this is not something to simply laugh off.
If this is left alone, the people who end up harmed are the fans, and it could lead to even greater confusion, which is why I am speaking out.
I really hate and dislike having to post a video over something like this, but I have no choice but to say it.
If you see a person called Heung Star in Pohang who is active as a fake Kim Hong-nam and fake Tanaka, please tell him to stop immediately.
Two years ago, you came to my event and asked if you could imitate Kim Hong-nam, and I gladly allowed it because I thought you were a fan.
But that permission was only for harmless imitation. It was never an approval to go live on YouTube, pretend to be Kim Hong-nam, make money, confuse people, and engage in commercial activity.
I clearly told you before to stop imitating Kim Hong-nam, but now you are active as Tanaka.
Many people, including myself, have left comments on the TikTok videos saying, "Please stop now," but reports keep coming in that those comments are being deleted in real time.
Parody and impersonation are clearly different.
I can understand playful imitation from a fan.
But continuing to impersonate Tanaka and Kim Hong-nam, deceive people, cause confusion, and make money after I clearly said I was uncomfortable with it is no longer something that can be brushed aside.
Once again, I politely ask you.
Please stop now.
And please remove all videos and photos on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms that ordinary people could mistake for Tanaka or Kim Hong-nam.
I hope there will be no more confusion for fans and young people.
I want to remember you as a fan.
I hope we do not have to keep clashing like this.
If you continue to impersonate Tanaka and Kim Hong-nam to make money or deceive people, I must make it clear that I will no longer stand by and will consider necessary measures.
I hope this statement and video will be the final warning.
Jo Min-jeong mj.cho@sportschosun.com
