Actor Park Jung-min's independent publishing house 'Muje' is facing unexpected repercussions after appearing on the tvN entertainment program 'You Quiz on the Block (hereafter referred to as You Quiz).' What was once interest has become counterproductive, actually interfering with work.
On the 16th, the publishing house Muje posted a lengthy statement on its official Instagram, stating, 'Since the broadcast, excessive calls unrelated to the publishing house have been made to the phone number printed on the back of the book, causing serious disruptions to our work.' The publishing house noted, 'Currently, Muje is operated by just two people, and we are repeatedly working late and on weekends,' adding, 'Due to prank calls, we had to suspend our landline operations.' Instead, it has opened a new email specifically for inquiries and expressed hopes to form a dedicated reader response team in the future.
On the 11th, Park Jung-min appeared on 'You Quiz,' where he shared the reason behind operating the publishing house and introduced an audiobook project that was well-received for its emotional impact. The 'listening novel' project, planned for his visually impaired father, received praise for its warm perspective towards social minorities. Fellow actors Hwang Jung-min, Yum Jung-ah, and Choi Yang-rak also contributed their voices through talent donations, which garnered attention.
However, the excessive attention towards this 'good deed' ultimately turned toxic. As unrelated calls and intrusive curiosity flooded in, the small and honest publishing house faced the burden. While Park Jung-min expressed gratitude for the increase in book orders, he cannot hide his disappointment at the reality of 'crossing the line' under the name of support.
The Muje side remarked, 'We will only accept gifts of support in spirit,' and asked fans not to send food or plants, which are difficult to verify and store. Some fans sending random gifts and packages has also become a burden. Especially, the publishing house politely declined the surge of resumes received after the broadcast, noting, 'We have no hiring plans.' It conveyed, 'We will do our best to create a cooler and more mature company with just the two of us.'
In response, internet users voiced, 'Support is enough with quietly buying a book,' 'It’s bitter that the genuine intention for the father is actually being hindered,' and 'While enthusiasm is good, crossing the line is a nuisance.' Park Jung-min's sincere space 'Muje.' To ensure that sincerity reaches further, support needs to be 'a little quieter and more considerate.'
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