Korea Has to Remove an Adv of 11YO Girl Having Ice-Cream ‘Cuz Koreans Found it too ‘Sexual’

Ask any of my colleagues, close friends or loved ones, and they’ll probably tell you one thing about me:

“That guy has a f***ing dirty mind.”

And well, I’m not gonna deny that. Having made countless dirty jokes, whether in real life or in my writings, I can already see where I’m going after my impending death.

The gutter, where I rightfully belong.

Not proud of it, but life goes on. Though here’s the thing: because of my fantastically abhorrent mind, I’m also the ideal target to approach when it comes to videos netizens perceive as being too… sexual. 

Like this advert in Korea over here. Having been lambasted for being ‘overly sexual’, the ad was eventually pulled from the brand’s social media page, and a public apology was subsequently issued.

But even with my unfiltered mind, alongside an ability to see the world through dirty lens, I just couldn’t envision one thing:

In what way, is the video being sexual? It’s just a ludicrously videogenic girl enjoying ice-cream!

What’s this, fake news?

Korea Has to Remove an Adv of 11YO Girl Having Ice-Cream ‘Cuz Koreans Found it too ‘Sexual’

It’s not known exactly when, but Baskin-Robbins had released a commercial starring a young girl eating her ice-cream.

While the average viewer might be tempted to snack on a tub of ice-cream after watching it, it seems that the audience over in Korean doesn’t quite feel the same, deeming the advertisement to be way too sexual.

Apparently, the idea of the girl, 11-year-old Ella Gross, being portrayed in a sexual light seems to have arisen after several Korean commenters described her in sexual terms.

Also, some Koreans were offended at not only the comments but also Baskin Robbins, for producing an advertisement that provoked these reactions.

The Ice-Cream brand has since removed the clip from Youtube and issued a public apology.

According to Korea Times, Baskin-Robbins did express that the makeup on Ella was similar to makeup on other models her age, and that her outfits were also from a children’s clothing brand.

Others disagree

While the video might’ve had its fair share of dissenters, some have stepped out to express support for Baskin-Robbins, as well as the ‘direction’ of the video. And amongst them, one stands out particularly clearly:

The parent of Ella Gross herself.

On 2 July 2019, Ella’s mother posted a lengthy statement on the child model’s Instagram account, criticising those who saw anything sexual in the short commercial.

View this post on Instagram

I wanted to take a moment to address the reaction that Ella received to a recent project that she worked on with Baskin Robbins Korea. I’m saddened to see how certain segments of the Korean public reacted to this commercial. What was honestly meant to be a fun commercial for a new ice cream flavor is being perceived by them as something disgusting and horrific. As most women, I have many roles in my life. However, I am first and foremost a mother, a title in which I take great pride and value above anything else. Ella is my daughter who I would gladly give my life for. It pains me that people have lashed out in such a careless and combative way. Ella continues to grow up with strong faith in God and I pray she will be a role model for other girls. What matters most is how you are on the inside. Ella is a beautiful soul because she truly does not have any bad intentions. She is one of the most hard working, strongest, sweetest, down to earth girls you will ever meet. She is intelligent, she is humble, and she really is a great girl. To those that are rallying against the Baskin Robbins commercial, stop saying that you are doing this “for Ella.” She is surrounded and loved by many strong and powerful women who wholeheartedly have her best interests at heart and who are confused and angered by your hurtful and negative reactions to a beautiful child. To Ella’s fans, her friends and family that pour love onto our sweet girl, I truly want to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart. I have realized how a few words of kindness really mean more than a thousand words of hate. I am so thankful for you all! ~Ella’s Mom

A post shared by Ella G. 🦋 (@ellagross) on Jul 1, 2019 at 8:41pm PDT

And it seems that Youtube commenters are in the same camp as Ella’s mother, expressing how the ones at fault are technically the ones thinking ‘dirty’ in the first place.

You can watch the video, which has been reposted by another channel, here:

Do tell us, too, whether the video’s indeed a step in the ‘wrong’ direction…

Or whether it’s just the audience taking it the ‘wrong’ way.