On April 29, 2026, the Seoul Eastern District Court was once again the stage for a legal drama involving Park Yong-in, a well-known member of the musical group Urban Zakapa and CEO of Virtue Company. Park, who found success as both an artist and a budding entrepreneur, now faces the possibility of a prison sentence—this time for his role in marketing a controversial beer product that, despite its name, never actually contained butter.
The court proceedings, presided over by Judge Oh Jae-seong, marked the first hearing of Park’s appeal trial on charges of violating South Korea’s Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods. The prosecution, maintaining a hardline stance, requested a one-year prison sentence for Park—identical to what they had sought in the original trial. According to Financial News, the prosecution argued, “The defendant made false and exaggerated advertisements to many consumers, and given that the profits from this case reached tens of billions of won, the sentence in the lower court is far too lenient.”
This case centers on a product line launched by Virtue Company between May 2022 and January 2023. The beers, sold at convenience stores and other outlets, bore the name ‘Beurre’—the French word for butter—and were promoted on social media and in-store posters as ‘butter beer,’ ‘BUTTER BEER,’ and ‘butter base.’ However, as the Food and Drug Safety Ministry confirmed in March 2023, not a single drop of butter was used in the brewing process. The marketing strategy, which played up the product’s soft, buttery flavor, was deemed by authorities as misleading and in violation of food labeling laws.
It’s a story that might sound almost whimsical—after all, who hasn’t seen a quirky product name on a store shelf? But for Park Yong-in, the consequences have been serious. In February 2026, the first trial court sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and imposed a fine of 10 million won on Virtue Company. The verdict was clear: “The advertisement, even if butter was not included in the product, misled consumers to believe butter was included, which constitutes false and exaggerated advertising.” The court further noted that such advertising undermined consumer trust and fair competition.
The prosecution, however, felt that justice had not been fully served and appealed the sentence, seeking a harsher punishment. They cited the scale of the operation and the alleged profits—described by multiple outlets, including OSEN and News1, as reaching tens of billions of won—as evidence that the original sentence was too light. “Considering that false and exaggerated advertising was made to a large number of consumers and revenue reached tens of hundreds of millions of won,” a prosecutor argued, “the first-instance ruling was excessive.”
Park’s defense team, for their part, asked the court to dismiss the appeal. They emphasized Park’s remorse and the fact that he had not appealed the original sentence. “There is not a reason to change the original sentence,” his lawyer insisted, echoing statements reported by Star Today and other media. During the hearing, Park himself offered a brief but pointed apology: “I am sorry for causing controversy.”
Behind the legal wrangling is a broader debate about marketing practices in the food and beverage industry. Park’s team argued during the investigation and trial that the use of evocative terms—like ‘butter beer’—is commonplace, even when the literal ingredient is absent. “In the beverage and coffee industry, there are many cases where a particular flavor is expressed even if the actual ingredient is not present,” they explained, suggesting the naming was meant to highlight the beer’s unique character rather than deceive.
Yet the court was unconvinced. Evidence presented included testimony from a beer manufacturer who stated, according to reports by HiDomin and others, “It is physically difficult to add butter to beer, and the phrase ‘butter beer’ should not be used.” The court found that average consumers could reasonably believe the product contained butter based on its name and advertising, thus meeting the threshold for false and exaggerated advertising under the law.
The controversy didn’t end with the beer. In 2025, a brand under Virtue Company also faced scrutiny over allegations that its kimchi products violated food labeling regulations. In that instance, the issue was ultimately determined to be an administrative error—specifically, an incorrect entry of product manufacturing report numbers by the manufacturer. The agency clarified, “The administrative action was taken due to incorrect number entry by the manufacturer,” rather than intentional misrepresentation by Park’s company.
This latest legal chapter for Park Yong-in is set against the backdrop of a career that has spanned both the music charts and the business world. As a founding member of Urban Zakapa, Park built a reputation for soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. His pivot to entrepreneurship with Virtue Company was initially met with interest and optimism. But as this case demonstrates, the transition from stage to boardroom is fraught with its own risks and responsibilities.
The outcome of Park’s appeal remains to be seen. The final sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., a date that will likely draw significant public and media attention. Whatever the result, the case has already sparked discussion in South Korea about the boundaries of creative marketing, the importance of consumer trust, and the legal consequences of crossing the line.
For Park Yong-in, the lesson has come at a steep price. His brief apology in court—“I am sorry for causing controversy”—captures the gravity of the moment. For consumers and businesses alike, it’s a reminder that what’s on the label matters as much as what’s in the bottle.