Police in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday arrested nine people involved in a controversial promotional stunt for a fashion line in which some carried a black coffin through the streets near Ben Thanh Market in District 1.

The nine include Ho Ngoc Tuan, Nguyen Van Quyet, Vu Thi Thanh Xuan, Nguyen Dang Khoa, Nguyen Van Tham, Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Pham Hung Cuong, Nguyen Hoang Son, and Le Van Nghia.

They were arrested for disturbing public order.

Earlier, Ho Chi Minh City police discovered a TikTok account named 'Never GG' posting a video on March 1, showing four people dressed in black carrying a black coffin with white words 'Never GG' and 'Die Everyday.'

The video spread on social media, making headlines and generating mixed reactions online.

Police officers later investigated the case and summoned the individuals involved for questioning.

The group admitted that in early 2024, Ho Ngoc Tuan created the TikTok account 'Never GG' to sell clothes online but had yet to start selling.

By October 2024, Tuan, Nguyen Van Quyet, and Vu Thi Thanh Xuan began collaborating on selling clothes online, with advertising posted on the TikTok page 'Never GG.'

During the operation, Tuan hired Nguyen Dang Khoa to assist in finding a clothing manufacturing workshop.

Tuan designed decals with two phrases: 'Never GG' and 'Die Everyday.' These were attached to the sides of the coffin, purchased from a funeral home in neighboring Long An Province for VND3.5 million (US$136.8). 

Tuan asked Nguyen Van Tham to repaint the coffin black and hired Tham along with four others to carry the coffin to film the video, with each person being paid VND500,000 ($19.5).

At about 10:00 am on February 25, Tuan, Khoa, Quyet, Xuan, and a model arrived at a studio on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in District 1. Meanwhile, Tham, along with Hung Cuong, Quoc Cuong, Son, and driver Nghia, delivered the coffin to Tuan.

After finishing the shoot in the studio, Tuan asked Tham's group to carry the coffin from the studio to the roadbed of Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street and then return to the studio to film a video. They carried the coffin about 200 meters.

Upon reviewing, as they were not satisfied, Tuan's group decided to bring the coffin to the area in front of Ben Thanh Market to film the coffin-carrying scene again.

At 3:00 pm on the same day, the group carried the coffin down Le Lai Street toward the intersection of Le Lai and Tran Hung Dao in District 1.

After finishing recording the video, Tham placed the coffin back into the car and transported it back to Long An for storage at Tuan's request.

On March 1, Tuan posted the video of four people carrying the coffin on the TikTok account 'Never GG.' 

As of 4:00 pm on Monday, the post had received 8,185 likes, 925 comments, 366 saves, and 4,127 shares.

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