Actress Han Ga-in apologizes over ‘oral albumin’ recommendation controversy: “I was reckless to share information based only on my personal experience”

Actress Han Ga-in apologized for carelessly recommending a health supplement based only on her personal experience in a video about “oral albumin” that she posted on her YouTube channel about two years ago.

■ Han Ga-in: “I bought it myself without compensation ... I’m sorry for confusing people with an unverified recommendation”

On the 28th, Han Ga-in posted a lengthy apology on the community board of her YouTube channel, “Free-Spirited Lady Han Ga-in.”

“I saw the concerns recently raised about the albumin product I introduced on YouTube and wanted to clarify the facts,” Han Ga-in wrote. “The video was content about a product I purchased and used myself, without any compensation or sponsorship. It was ‘self-purchased’ content, and there was no deception whatsoever regarding its advertising status.”

She explained that she began buying and taking the product regularly after childbirth, when she felt her energy had declined, and recommended it to viewers because she personally felt her condition had improved. She then apologized, saying, “Regardless of whether it was an advertisement, it was reckless to introduce a health-related product based only on my personal experience.”

“This incident made me realize how cautious one must be when sharing information based on subjective impressions without rigorous verification,” she wrote. “Going forward, even when I have purchased and tried a product myself, I will strictly verify the objective facts before sharing anything.”

■ Samangyeou TV’s expose of exaggerated albumin advertising sparks controversy

The apology followed a video titled “The Real Culprit Revealed,” posted on the 28th by Samangyeou TV, a YouTube channel known for exposing false and exaggerated advertising. The video criticized exaggerated claims about oral albumin products that have recently gone viral online, as well as allegations of coordinated home-shopping programming.

Early in the video, Samangyeou TV highlighted a scene from Han Ga-in’s November 2024 video titled “Supplements Han Ga-in Has Taken Consistently for 25 Years — Not Product Placement,” in which she mentioned the product. At the time, Han Ga-in recommended it, saying it “definitely works when you can’t get an IV” and that it was “good for men.”

But Samangyeou TV presented an analysis of the product’s ingredients and said it would be difficult to substantiate the benefits Han Ga-in cited. The channel also pointed out that the product’s official food classification was merely a “mixed beverage,” not a pharmaceutical or a health functional food.

■ Samangyeou TV: “Han Ga-in was not the direct cause” ... Swift, sincere response

Samangyeou TV also made clear that Han Ga-in’s video was not the direct cause of the oral albumin trend or the alleged mastermind behind coordinated home-shopping programming. “The timing is coincidental, but Han Ga-in’s recommendation appeared only once, and it is difficult to view it as a direct factor in albumin’s popularity or as being connected to coordinated home-shopping programming,” the channel said.

Shortly after Samangyeou TV released its video, Han Ga-in issued a sincere apology that addressed the advertising allegations and acknowledged her own error. Her swift response showed an effort to preserve her trust with viewers. Fans and other internet users have voiced their support, saying, “It is impressive that she apologized so thoughtfully even though it wasn’t an advertisement,” and, “This likely gave her another opportunity to recognize her influence as a celebrity.”