A popular Korean blogger and a high-end restaurant are embroiled in a legal battle over a critical online review, underscoring the increasing conflicts involving “power bloggers” who post reviews about gadgets and food.
In February, the blogger posted a review of a traditional Korean restaurant in Dogok-dong, southern Seoul, claiming that its sirloin “bulgogi” (grilled marinated beef) dish did not use sirloin beef and instead used cheaper cuts.
The restaurant sued the blogger for defamation shortly after the review went public, saying that it “cannot tolerate the blogger’s false claim which is essentially a criminal act.” According to Chosun Ilbo newspaper, the restaurant said that the number of customers plummeted after the blogger’s review.
The situation has led to a full-blown court battle after the blogger revealed on Tuesday that he will sue the restaurant for alleged defamation.
The confrontation between the blogger and the restaurant illustrates the growing influence of bloggers in Korea. The blogger in question attracts some 43,000 regular visitors, traffic that could have a real impact on a business.
Korean online users favor blogs when they look for information about gadgets, food and other items they want to buy. More than 40 percent of local Internet users visit a blog at least once a day, and 85.8 percent visit a blog at least three times a week, according to a survey by Korea Consumer Agency on 1,000 adults.
The survey also showed that 53.3 percent bought goods based on a review by power bloggers, and 22.1 percent bought merchandise influenced by blogs on average 4.9 times a year.
Some bloggers seem to touch off conflicts, as demonstrated by the complaints of restaurants that claim their business suffered from negative online reviews. In a separate case, a Japanese restaurant owner filed a lawsuit against another power blogger, claiming that he was forced out of business after a malicious review from the blogger.
“As bloggers grow stronger, the number of legal disputes surrounding their comments will continue to increase,” Lee Myung-jin, a sociology professor from Korea University, was quoted as saying.
