Beauty YouTuber and Single’s Inferno contestant Song Ji A, known as Free Zia, has officially addressed her ongoing knock-off controversy in a 4 minute YouTube video. The reality show star started off the video titled,“It’s Song Ji A” by admitting to everything and apologizing not just for the delay in her apology video, but also for “worrying everyone.”
First of all, I would like to apologize for the delay in this apology video. I also would like to apologize for worrying everyone. As for the ongoing controversy regarding my use of counterfeit products, I admit to it all and would like to further admit that it is all my fault.
— Ji A @free지아/YouTube
Ji A continued by revealing that she should “have been more careful as someone who runs a YouTube channel” in regards to her counterfeit purchases. She admitted that she “damaged the brands’ value” by using the knock-off items.
I should have been more careful as someone who runs a YouTube channel. I have damaged the brands’ value by using counterfeit products. Furthermore, I have disappointed everyone who once believed in me and I am sorry for that.
— Ji A @free지아/YouTube
It was following her introduction that the beauty content creator explained how she fell into the counterfeit world. She shared that in the beginning, she “strictly [bought the items] because they were pretty.” However, Ji A explained that it didn’t take long for her to “[fall] deeper” in love with knock-off items as she felt the need to keep up her image.
In the beginning, I bought the items strictly because they were pretty and then, I began to receive a lot of love from the public. I wasn’t able to come to my senses and I found myself falling deeper into [knock-offs].
I kept falling for [knock-offs] even more and focused my energy on the Song Ji A I wanted to show to the public.
— Ji A @free지아/YouTube
Following her admittance and her background story, Ji A made sure to reiterate her regretful position while asking the public to refrain from “criticizing [her] family” members.
I have been reflecting on my actions everyday. I recognize my shortcomings and I regret my actions. I have been living while reflecting on my actions. I am sorry.
Everything is my fault, so I ask that you would stop criticizing my family. I’m sorry.
— Ji A @free지아/YouTube
She concluded her apology video by reassuring her fans, Pringies, that her love for them was real despite what the media may have stated. Ji A also shared that all of her YouTube videos have been put on private and that she would be spending her time “reflect[ing] upon [her] actions.”
I also wanted to say that ever since I started my YouTube channel in the beginning, my love for Pringies (fans) have been sincere. In the midst of all this, however, that was rumored to be fake and a lot of my fans were hurt by this. But I want to say that it [the love] was always true and I want to say I’m sorry.
I have made all of my videos on my channel private. I will be taking the time to continuously reflect upon my actions. I will personally take on the consequences of my actions until the very end.
— Ji A @free지아/YouTube
Previously, the beauty content creator was met with extreme criticisms after she was caught wearing counterfeit designer clothing and accessories on her social media platforms, as well as during her time on the Netflix dating series. Netizens claimed she was promoting a false lifestyle, as Ji A’s image was once synonymous with being a wealthy “golden-spoon” star.
Following the backlash, Ji A formally apologized with a handwritten letter, but the malicious comments continued to pursue. A week after her controversy made headlines, the Single’s Inferno contestant eventually made the decision to delete all of her Instagram posts (minus the apology)…
…and private all of her YouTube videos.
You can read Ji A’s full apology down below.
Hello, it’s Song Ji A.
First of all, I would like to apologize for the delay in this apology video. I also would like to apologize for worrying everyone. As for the ongoing controversy regarding my use of counterfeit products, I admit to it all and would like to further admit that it is all my fault.
I should have been more careful as someone who runs a YouTube channel, but I have damaged the brand’s value by using counterfeit products. Furthermore, I have disappointed everyone who once believed in me and I am sorry for that.
In the beginning, I bought the items strictly because they were pretty and then, I began to receive a lot of love from the public. I wasn’t able to come to my senses and I found myself falling deeper into [knock-offs]. I am feeling so regretful and all I can think when I look back on myself is how pathetic I was.
When I look back during a time when I received so much love from people, I should have looked back at myself internally, but I was unable to do that. I kept falling deeper into them [knock-offs] and focused my energy on the Song Ji A I wanted to show to the public.
In regards to that, I feel regretful and am reflecting on my decisions. I am so sorry.
Following the counterfeit controversy, I have been reading everyone’s advice and reproach. I have been reflecting on my actions everyday. I recognize my shortcomings and I regret my actions. I have been living while reflecting on my actions. I am sorry.
In addition, my fans who love me and my family members have been extremely hurt by my actions and wrongdoings. Because of this, I feel the severity of the situation even more. Everything is my fault, so I ask that you would stop criticizing my family. I’m sorry.
I also wanted to say that ever since I started my YouTube channel in the beginning, my love for Pringies (fans) have been sincere. In the midst of all this, however, that was rumored to be fake and a lot of my fans were hurt by this. But I want to say that it was always true and I want to say I’m sorry.
I have made all of my videos on my channel private. I will be taking the time to continuously reflect upon my actions. I will personally take on the consequences of my actions until the very end.
I am truly sorry.
— Ji A @free지아/YouTube
You can also watch her full apology video down below.
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