K-Pop Demon Hunters Faces Illegal Merchandise Scandal in China Amid Global Success

Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University has expressed outrage over the illegal sale of Chinese-made merchandise related to the Netflix animation 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' (referred to as 'Kedeheon').

On the 21st, Professor Seo took to Instagram to condemn the illegal merchandise sales in China, calling it a "truly disgraceful act." He stated, "It's unacceptable that they not only engage in illegal streaming but also create illegal merchandise to profit from it."

China's largest review site, Douban, has seen approximately 7,000 reviews related to illegal streaming of 'Kedeheon.' Some users have even accused the show of "plagiarizing Chinese culture," claiming that Korea is stealing Chinese cultural elements through 'Kedeheon.'

This issue echoes previous incidents, such as when the Netflix series 'Squid Game' gained global popularity, leading to widespread illegal distribution and unauthorized viewing in China. At that time, illegal merchandise flooded Chinese online marketplaces, sparking controversy.

Professor Seo warned, "It's time to stop. The act of 'stealing' other countries' content must come to an end."

Reported by Min-kyung Lee, TenAsia 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr