Illegal BTS “Arirang” merchandise on Chinese online malls sparks controversy

▲ This image, screenshot from the social media post of South Korean professor Seo Kyoung-duk, shows unauthorized BTS “Arirang” T-shirts being sold on major Chinese online shopping platforms. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- Controversy has arisen over the sale of unauthorized merchandise related to BTS on major Chinese online shopping platforms following the group’s recent comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.

Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, said Tuesday via social media that he had received numerous reports from internet users.

“After checking, I found that platforms such as Taobao and AliExpress are openly selling T-shirts and various accessories using the ‘Arirang’ logo,” he said.

Seo pointed out that the most serious issue is the unauthorized use of BTS members’ portrait rights.

“Even if the platforms only provide a marketplace and did not directly produce the goods, exposing and facilitating the sale of such counterfeit items is clearly problematic,” he said.

He also noted that similar controversies arose in China over the distribution of pirated goods when the Netflix series Squid Game gained global popularity.

At the time, foreign media outlets, including the South China Morning Post, reported that some of the most popular “Squid Game” products sold on Korean online platform Coupang were supplied by companies based in Chinese regions such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, as well as Anhui Province.

Seo stressed that creating and profiting from illegal merchandise, in addition to unauthorized viewing of Korean content, is unacceptable.

“Such acts amount to stealing other countries’ content and must be stopped,” he said.

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