Money scheme uses Jang Keun-suk

Hallyu actor Jang Keun-suk’s name has been used in an investment scheme by a producer who desperately needed money to prop up his ailing business.

According to the Seoul Central District Court on Friday, the producer surnamed Park told an investor that he was collecting money for a DVD project that would feature Jang and promised the investor a 30 percent share of the profits. He then collected 150 million won ($131,700) from his victim. 

In addition to the investment, Park fooled the victim into giving money that would supposedly be used to buy birthday presents for Jang and his mother, the court said.

Yet contrary to what the investor thought, the police found that Park had not signed any contract with Jang’s agency to produce a DVD and that Jang had no knowledge of the project. The investor is now suing Park for the amount he gave.

Jang’s music has topped the Oricon charts and he has stared in popular dramas. Recently, he was nicknamed the “Prince of Coffee” after winning a Caffe Bene endorsement deal.

Jang Keun-suk, the ‘Prince of Coffee’

Hallyu actor Jang Keun-suk, affectionately called the “Prince of Asia” among fans, will also become the “Prince of Coffee,” as he is set to represent Caffe Bene, the nation’s leading cafe franchise. 

The cafe brand announced yesterday that Jang will promote its coffee and other offerings along with actress Han Ye-seul, who is already a model for the brand.

“He is vibrant and youthful, yet has a calm and cool aura, which is what attracted us to having Jang represent the brand,” said a spokesperson from Caffe Bene.

The fact that Jang is also in university was another factor that the coffee house took into consideration, as the brand is popular among college students.

The coffee chain also plans to broaden its marketing efforts abroad, with the goal of expanding globally.

“His status as a Hallyu star will help us gain recognition, especially among women in their 20s and 30s, who adore Jang,” said Caffe Bene. 

The franchise opened its first store in the United States on Feb. 1 in Times Square in New York.