Singer Ung Hoang Phuc, along with Khanh Phuong, Lam Chan Huy, Duong Ngoc Thai, and Luu Hung, formed the Five Tiger Generals band and released their first music video on 18/9.
Three days later, images circulated on social media alleging the band was promoting a gambling website. The name of a betting website appeared in several scenes throughout the video. Facing criticism, the band removed the video from YouTube and uploaded an edited version without the gambling website logo.
On the morning of 23/9, the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Division (PA05) of Ho Chi Minh City Police Department summoned those involved in the music video for questioning.
That afternoon, Khanh Phuong explained that the band had accepted a sponsorship offer and allowed the company's logo to appear in the video. He delegated the task of incorporating the promotional images to the technical team. Khanh Phuong said the Five Tiger Generals were unaware of the website's nature, having "trusted the company's business registration license".
Khanh Phuong admitted to negligence and a lack of thorough due diligence, which led to the public outcry. "This mistake is huge, and all members of the Five Tiger Generals want to apologize. We are actively cooperating with authorities to clarify the matter," he said.
Previously, Ung Hoang Phuc denied promoting the brand and said he was "ready to cooperate with the investigation".
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The Five Tiger Generals band (from left to right): Khanh Phuong, Duong Ngoc Thai, Luu Hung, Ung Hoang Phuc, Lam Chan Huy. Photo provided by the band. |
The Five Tiger Generals band (from left to right): Khanh Phuong, Duong Ngoc Thai, Luu Hung, Ung Hoang Phuc, Lam Chan Huy. Photo provided by the band.
The 2012 Advertising Law stipulates that advertising prohibited products or services is illegal. Those advertising, providing advertising services, and publishing advertisements must verify legality and are responsible for the product. "If the artists' music video features the logo of a sponsor for illegal gambling services, the video itself becomes a means of advertising a prohibited service," said lawyer Hoang Ha of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association.
Ung Hoang Phuc, 44, rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like "Rather Be Like That" (2002), "People Say" (2003), and "Promise Much, Break Much" (2004). In 2007, he paused his career to seek treatment for a herniated disc in Singapore. Two years later, he returned and founded his own entertainment company. Ung Hoang Phuc married model Kim Cuong in late 2018, and they have two children.
Khanh Phuong, 44, from Ho Chi Minh City, holds three bachelor's degrees in Chinese Literature, Journalism, and Law, but chose a singing career. He founded the MP5 band and began his solo career in 2006. In the 2000s, he was a popular singer with hits like "The Warm Wind Scarf," "Glass Rain," and "Silent Love."
Hoang Dung
