The cancellation of Singles Inferno’s star Song Ji-a has been capturing attention since her faux branded items controversy blew up. But why is this issue - which would’ve been considered nothing in the West - drawing such furor in South Korea?

Prior to appearing on the Netflix dating show, Song Ji-a was already a famous influencer. On her social media, she flaunted a luxurious lifestyle: branded bags and clothes, lavish home, elite friends. This drew a lot of fans who thought her to be a “gold spoon”, a local term to describe someone born with a silver spoon in her mouth. The Netflix show only propelled her fame to the next level.As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60384651">reported by the BBC</a>, many locals feel betrayed, not necessarily because Song wore fakes, but mainly because she’d presented herself as something she was not. At least, those are the arguments that keep coming up. The 20-something internet celeb’s lies have triggered the silent rage felt by many South Korean youngsters who are displeased by class inequality in the country. They enjoyed living vicariously through her rich-kid persona. When it was revealed to be fake, these fans’ aspirations crumbled as well, thus fueling the backlash.Image: @freezia/Instagram#SongJia #influencer #SinglesInferno #SouthKorea #fake #InternetCelebrity

Song Ji-a wiped her social media accounts and left only a single apology video on YouTube, in which she wrote: <blockquote>Hello, I am Song Ji-ah. First of all, I am sorry for the delay in the apology video like this. I admit to the use of counterfeit products, which has been controversial recently, and it is clearly my fault. Although I should have been more careful as a person who runs YouTube Damaged the brand value by using counterfeit products, I have disappointed many people who believed in me. This is my inexcusable fault. After the fake product controversy, I have been looking at your rebukes and advice I recognize and reflect on my shortcomings every day. Also, seeing the people who care about me and my family suffer because of me. I was deeply aware of the seriousness of this problem. Please stop criticizing the family. The feelings I expressed to the Fringes are not lies, but it hurts my heart to see them as lies. All of this is my fault I'm sorry again. All social media will be treated privately and carefully checked, and any videos with fake products will be deleted. Regarding the progress, we will share it through the official account community after everything is sorted out. I will reflect and reflect again. I will take full responsibility for my mistakes. thank you. </blockquote>

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