Single's Inferno star sorry for wearing fake Chanel, Dior, Versace on the hit Netflix Korean dating show

By Lee Gyu-lee

Song Ji-ah, one of the participants in Netflix’s Korean reality show Single’s Inferno, has confirmed rumours that she wore counterfeit luxury brand goods in her YouTube videos and on the show.

The social media star, who rose to global fame after starring in the dating show, released a statement through her Instagram account on January 17, apologising to the public.

“I apologise to everyone who has been disappointed and hurt by my actions … there has been a controversy over clothes that I wore on social media and Single’s Inferno. And it is true that some of the items were knock-offs,” Song wrote.

“I am sorry that my behaviour damaged designers’ creative work and infringed on copyright.”

Song Ji-ah in a still from Netflix’s dating show Single’s Inferno. Photo: Netflix

She added that, as a person who “dreams of launching her own brand” in the future, she will take the time to reflect on herself.

“I have deleted all the videos that contain fake luxury goods. I also want to extend my apology to all the brands that were affected by my actions.”

The issue surfaced online on January 16, when an internet user posted a video on YouTube claiming that Song has been wearing fake high-end brands like Chanel, Dior and Versace.

The video pointed out that the short-sleeve Chanel jumper and Versace bikini she wore on the show were replicas of the brands’ actual designs. It said that her Dior boob tube, also worn on the show, is not an authentic product but a fake as well.

The YouTuber went on to question the authenticity of the other accessories and clothing Song wore on social media and her YouTube channel, including a necklace from French luxury jewellery brand Van Cleef & Arpels.

Song Ji-ah in a still from Netflix’s dating show Single’s Inferno. Photo: Netflix

After the video went viral, more people took to raising further questions about the products she shared on her YouTube channel, which has over 1.9 million subscribers.

Some pointed out that she shared haul videos – videos in which a person shares and reviews items they have recently bought – where she pretended that the replicas were authentic products she had bought from official stores.

Those haul videos have now been taken down from Song’s channel.

Song, who goes by the name FreeZia on social media, is a model and Instagram influencer. She started her YouTube channel in 2019, sharing vlogs and make-up tutorials.

She has risen to new heights in popularity since appearing on the Korean original reality show. She has over 3.5 million followers on Instagram and 1.9 million subscribers on YouTube.

Single’s Inferno stars 12 singles on a deserted island and follows their search for love, to escape the island as a couple for a date night in a hotel suite, somewhere in paradise.

The show ranked fourth on Netflix’s official weekly top 10 chart for the first week of January. The streaming platform has yet to confirm a second season.

Read the full story on Korea Times