'Irene, i-Katinko mo': Red Velvet member goes viral for birthday billboard-turned-product placement for ointment

A billboard that a Filo ReVeluv prepared for Red Velvet's Irene has gone viral for two very different reasons: First, it celebrated the South Korean girl group leader's birthday on March 29, and second, it accidentally became a Katinko advertisement by extension.

As seen in photos and videos uploaded by ReVeluvs and other observant Filipinos, below the billboard featuring Irene is another promotional material for Katinko—a brand known for its oil and ointment.

Due to being placed close to each other, the two different advertisements were associated by Filo ReVeluvs with each other. Netizens then quickly poked fun at the accidental "product placement" with memes shared on social media.

Even the Katinko Twitter account participated in the trend by greeting the Red Velvet member: "Happy Irene Day!"

Jazrene Gonzales, the K-pop fan behind the viral billboard, said that she's proud of her "most rushed project," which involved five days of contacting, video editing, contract signing, and other logistical work.

"I feel really happy and proud. Since the day I posted about this project, I saw how much my co-ReVeluvs became excited about it. Some people that I don’t even know messaged me and offered help if ever I need it. All the hard work paid off after I saw a tagged post of the launched billboard ad as early as 9 a.m. today (March 29) from one of my followers. I appreciate everyone who literally passed by EDSA Guadalupe just to see the video despite everyone’s busy schedule," Jazrene told PhilSTAR L!fe.

The ReVeluv revealed that she has also seen the Katinko-related posts, which she considered the "vanilla, chocolate, honey, with a cherry on top" of all her efforts.

"It gets even better when I saw posts and tweets from different social media sites that Irene’s billboard really goes well with the Katinko ad below it. Irene is the oldest member of Red Velvet and it becomes an inside joke in our fandom to call her 'Tita Irene'... Katinko ointment is kind of known to be used more often by elders, so that’s how they funnily relate both to one another," Jazrene said.

"Overall, my heart is full with all of the congratulatory messages I’m receiving for another successful project for Red Velvet. It gives me more strength to lead the projects we’re preparing for Red Velvet’s upcoming concert here in the Philippines entitled United from R to V, together with all the volunteers who willingly offered help to give the girls the best welcoming and experiences on their first solo concert here in our country," Jazrene concluded.