VOV says Kim Hee-seon image being tarnished

Korean actress Kim Hee-seon [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean cosmetics brand VOV has issued a public statement saying actress Kim Hee-son's image is being tarnished by her endorsing a fake make-up company in China.

Yesterday, both the actress's agency and VOV had denied that Kim had shot an advertisement for China's VOV but is rather a spokesmodel for a brand called LANCHEN, considered one of the top three cosmetics brands in China.

VOV issued a press release today, however, saying that a Chinese company named Yace, along with several others, had built its business by pirating the successful Korean brand and selling knockoffs of its products, eventually accumulating enough capital to establish its own cosmetics brand LANCHEN.

LANCHEN, whose mother company has no legal affiliation to the original brand, signed with Kim last year which is damaging the actress's image, Korea VOV stated.

The Korean brand further claimed that its own corporate image has been at risk as LANCHEN products are produced, sold and managed by Yace.

The Korean brand, explaining that all products being sold in China under the name "VOV" is illegitimate, stressed that such unauthorized use of trademark, production and sales of its products is causing enormous financial losses to the company.

VOV ended its message by saying, "we express our regrets to actress Kim Hee-seon."

Kim, 33, has appeared in over a dozen Korean television dramas and films since her debut in 1993. The actress, who married a businessman in 2007, was last seen in the 2006 SBS TV series "Smile Again" and 2005 Hong Kong film "The Myth" alongside action star Jackie Chan.

Asiae

Kim Hee Sun exclusive photos then and now

Kim Hee Sun was born in 1977, in Seoul, South Korea. Kim Hee Sun was a Electrical Engineering college student in the early 90's.

Kim's acting career started when she enrolled into the acting class in South Korea at Chung Ang University.

In 1997, Kim Hee Sun became a household name in Korea. She played a role in a popular Korean drama along side Jang Dong Gun "Repechage"

In South Korea, people say that her beauty represents the beauty of the traditional korean female. She was also known for her active involvement in promoting Korean culture to the world.

Although her acting ability have not earn praises from film critics her beauty however were flawless in the Korean's eyes.

In 2001, in an attempt to change her image and to gain recognition in the industry, Kim cropped her beautiful long hair for her role in the movie "Wanee and Junah". The film failed to rake in at the box office but Kim's performance in the film was highly praised by experts.

In 2005, Kim collaborated with Jacky Chan, a well know HongKong martial art actor in the movie 'The Myth".

From 2006, Kim participate in less film and dramas. Most of her income are generated from advertisement for Korean make-up and fashio labels. Some reports her estimate income from advertisement were US $7 million.

In 2007, Kim married the son of one of South Korea's richest and powerful corparation.

Kim is no longer active with filming, in fact she's enjoying her life and content with a handsome husband and a lare bank account balance.

In summer 2008, Kim announced to the Korean public that she was pregnant and in Spring 2009 she gave birth to a baby girl.

In April 2009, Kim made a public appearance to promote the book that advise people about motherhood and pregancy.

Kim said that she has no immediate plans to return to filming as she now have a family to take care of.