I’ve Been Misled! A Tale of K-pop CFs and YouTube Comments

A Korean CF — aka commercial — has the same basic goal as any ad anywhere in the world; to sell a product. If you don’t live in Korea, but are a K-pop fan, you are likely to see these CFs on YouTube instead of on TV. But when you’re watching a new commercial featuring your favorite K-pop hunk things can get a little vague. You see, commercials are pretty low on the list of things to subtitle — variety shows and dramas are top priority — so the viewer is forced to look elsewhere for information about the product being sold.

Having experienced this conundrum myself, I looked at the comment section on YouTube to see if my peers could help enlighten me. Unfortunately, I found their input to be confusing at best. I was simply trying to buy some interesting new food and merchandise advertised by my favorite idols when I stumbled into a dark, twisted world of products I didn’t even know existed.

 

MMMM, TASTE THE BLOOD-LOSS!

Innocently trying to discover what was being sold for my consumption in Suzy’s new CF I ended up unveiling a disturbing fact – this drink causes blood loss! I feel terribly bad for the commenters that were unfortunate enough to try this product for themselves, but I’d like to thank them for warning the rest of us about that unfortunate bleeding side effect.

WHO NEEDS VIAGRA? I’VE GOT HYORIN’S FOREHEAD!

So what you’re saying is get a nice forehead > cause erections > profit?  This CF left me thinking, “Wow, I’d love to have Hyorin’s body,” but it didn’t tell me much about this so-called beverage. If I drink it, will I become an irresistible dancing queen? Regardless, glad I don’t have to worry about getting a hard-on in an awkward location from drinking it.

I LOVE WHITE CREAM THE BEST!

I like creamy white foods; goat cheese, whipped cream, mascarpone, sour cream, you name it I like it. But I’ve never experienced any sort of benefit from it (unless you count thunder thighs). However, according to the YouTube comments this particular magical edible white cream isn’t only for eating, it also makes people have a better relationship! Wow, if I’d known there was a special white cream that would help me have a relationship with “good chemistry” I would have started eating it a long time ago.

RUNAWAY BRIDE? TRY RUNAWAY BOYFRIEND!

Got a problem with guys escaping your grasp? This CF teaches you how to capture the man of your dreams. There’s more of tutorial than commercial about this particular ad, but I don’t hear any fangirls complaining. Why didn’t you tell me that getting EXO as boyfriends was as simple as stealing their shoes? Well, I guess being a physically attractive woman is important too.

ARMPIT BE-GONE; NOW AVAILABLE IN PINK!

This handy little cushion will keep you from being self-conscious about your pit condition ever again. Simply apply the pink puff to your arms and suddenly you won’t be able to lift your arms above your head. Unfortunately, the pillow isn’t the most attractive fashion statement, but it’s all for the greater good. Plus, hot guys like SHINee will swarm to you if your armpits are invisible. What an incentive!

Now you know, folks, YouTube comments are just as fun as they are informative. Now pardon me while I go buy some forehead enhancing, armpit hiding, erection-causing cream!