• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.21 no.10
• /
• pp.172-183
• /
• 2021

The current study delves into millennial consumers' attitude toward 'undisclosed ads' and 'disclosed ads' through in-depth interviews. More specifically, this study explores how millennial consumers think of undisclosed ads and celebrity endorsers as well as influencers through interviewing 12 millennial consumers. In addition, this study also deals with millennial consumers' attitude toward disclosed ads and celebrity endorsers as well as influencers. Study results suggest that millennial consumers perceive 'undisclosed ads' as deceiving ads and hold negative attitude toward celebrity endorsers as well as influencers who are involved in 'undisclosed ads'. Interestingly, millennial consumers hold both positive and negative attitude toward 'disclosed ads'. 'Disclosed ads' could be delivered to millennial consumers without any reservation when it is integrated as an entertaining factor into contents. On the other hands, negative feelings could occur when 'disclosed ads' is frequently employed and is forcibly embedded in contents, making millennial consumers feel that it is imperative to watch 'disclosed ads' in order to enjoy free contents. In the discussion section practical implications are provided.