In an unexpected turn of events, Eric, a member of the K-pop group The Boyz, mistakenly posted a photo of a condom on social media, thinking it was a P. This left fans in shock. The product’s manufacturer, Barunsengkak, has since issued an official statement regarding the incident.
On Monday, Barunsengkak apologized through its official social media channels, stating, “We sincerely apologize for any confusion caused. We created this condom set to be playful, but we regret that it caused controversy. We take full responsibility for this incident.”
Earlier that day, Eric had shared a photo of what he believed was Pepero along with a handwritten letter to fans, celebrating Pepero Day, a popular event in South Korea similar to Valentine’s Day where people exchange Pepero—a biscuit snack shaped like a pencil.
However, it turned out the product Eric posted was actually a condom packaged to resemble the popular snack. Upon realizing the mix-up, Eric expressed his embarrassment, saying, “Honestly, I’m so embarrassed right now, I just want to crawl into a hole,” adding, “I really didn’t know.”
The product was a special, limited-edition item produced by Barunsengkak in collaboration with the convenience store chain GS25. It was intended to promote healthy sexual practices in honor of Pepero Day and was available for purchase only until Monday.
Many others, like Eric, were also fooled by the Pepero-shaped packaging. Social media was flooded with reactions, including one user who commented, “My dad bought that condom earlier today, and our whole family was shocked,” and another who shared, “A friend gave it to me thinking it was Pepero, and I was stunned to find out it was a condom.”
In response, Barunsengkak issued an apology while also clarifying that the product in question was a medical device—condoms are legally available for purchase by adults and minors in many countries.
Barunsengkak explained, “Our goal was to reduce the stigma around purchasing or possessing contraceptive products,” and emphasized, “The condom included in this product is not an adult item; it is a medical device that teenagers can legally purchase.”
The company continued, “Through this incident, we hope to foster an open-minded approach to contraceptive products and encourage awareness about healthy sexual practices.” Barunsengkak concluded, “We deeply apologize once again to anyone confused by this product.”
Meanwhile, this isn’t Barunsengkak’s first attempt at discreet contraceptive packaging. In 2019, the company teamed up with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and the advertising agency IDEAT to create Secret Condoms that were packaged to resemble common products like ketchup, hot sauce, green tea, and coffee mix. The initiative was part of a broader campaign to promote sexual health and normalize discussions about contraception.
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