[Exclusive] Samcheok ‘BTS’ sculpture to be demolished due to Hive demands

BTS-related sculptures and murals all over the country are expected to gradually disappear. This is because it was confirmed that Hive sent an official letter to the local government that installed the BTS sculpture demanding its removal due to infringement of intellectual property rights.

According to Ten Asia coverage on the 8th, Samcheok City decided to demolish the BTS photo zone sculpture and information sign at Maengbang Beach on the 5th. This is a measure taken after Hive sent an official letter to Samcheok City on December 21 last year requesting the removal of all BTS-related sculptures. Hive requested the removal of the sculpture installed at Maengbang Beach, saying it infringes on BTS' intellectual property rights. Samcheok City reported that it tried to negotiate with Hive, but it ultimately fell through. In the end, an important tourist resource was lost.

Beaches, breakwaters, bus stops, and simple stations all over the country have become famous as locations for filming BTS' hit song jackets or music videos, and there are several places called 'holy places' by fans. In particular, Maengbang Beach in Samcheok City is famous as the filming location for the jacket of BTS' hit song 'Butter', and a stop at Hyangho Beach in Gangneung City has a sculpture called 'Spring Day Stop'. The red lighthouse in Gyeongjeonghyang, Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do is called the ‘BTS Lighthouse’ and is loved by tourists. Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan is famous for its BTS murals. There is also a mural street of V and Suga in Daegu.

However, Hive is requesting the local government to demolish the place where BTS's memories reside because BTS's trademark rights or image rights were displayed and specified. A local government official told Ten Asia, "BTS's agency, Hive, sent an official document requesting its demolition and saying, 'It could be a legal problem.' They said they are banning its use because it infringes on intellectual property rights." . He added, “I tried to negotiate with Hive, but they said they would not consult with Hive and said, ‘There is no such precedent so far,’ so we had no choice but to demolish it.” He added, “I know that no place in the country other than our local government has given permission.” . Samcheok City plans to demolish the BTS sculpture within this week.

Some local governments are complaining about this measure. The local government created sculptures and murals for the public interest for fans who visit the places featured on BTS's jackets and music videos, but it is an excessive measure to stop them.

However, the need for a 'principled response' cannot be overlooked in that if Hive does not stop this, the indiscriminate use of BTS intellectual property rights by local governments cannot be prevented. An official from Hive said, "In principle, government ministries, local governments, public institutions, etc. do not give permission for street construction, sculpture, or mural production that uses our company's intellectual property rights, including the names of our artists," and added, "Measures to protect artists' intellectual property rights." He explained, “We took into account the fact that if continuous management becomes difficult, it will not be good for the artist’s image.”

If Samcheok City demolishes the BTS sculpture this week, there is a possibility that sculptures in other local governments will be demolished sequentially in the future. An official from a local government that owns a BTS-related tourist site said, “As it is closely related to local tourism, including attracting foreign tourists, I hope there will be an agreement on the condition of continuous management.”

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr