Indonesian 'Korean Ramyeon' ad with NewJeans may mislead consumers, warns KIPO

Ad video garners over 6 million views; criticism in Korea over potential intellectual property infringement

By KTimes

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) expressed concerns that the name of Indonesian instant noodle brand Indomie’s new product, “Korean Ramyeon,” could mislead local consumers into thinking the noodles are made in Korea.

The product, promoted by the popular K-pop group NewJeans, has gained significant attention, amassing over 6 million views on Instagram as of Nov. 12.

KIPO said Monday, “It’s not necessarily problematic for foreign companies to register trademarks in Korean, just as Korean companies can register trademarks in English. However, there is a considerable risk that Indonesian consumers could mistake ‘Korean Ramyeon’ for a Korean product.”

This response came after a recent complaint was filed by a Korean netizen through a public petition, alleging that the product infringes on Korea’s intellectual property rights.

Indonesia's largest noodle manufacturer, Indomie, introduced “Korean Ramyeon” with three flavor varieties on Oct. 31, appointing NewJeans as brand ambassadors.

The packaging prominently displays the name “Korean Ramyeon” in Korean characters, with the term “Ramyeon” written in the Korean pronunciation rather than the Japanese “Ramen.”

In the advertisement, NewJeans members hold up the noodles, saying in Korean, “It’s so delicious!” — a phrase that may lead consumers to believe the product is genuinely Korean.

“It’s currently unclear whether ‘Korean Ramyeon’ has been registered as a trademark with the Indonesian Intellectual Property Office," KIPO said. "Determining whether this qualifies as an intellectual property infringement would require a more in-depth review.”

The Korean government plans to discuss this issue with Indonesian authorities in future bilateral meetings, hoping to reach a solution.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.