The TvN drama Queen of Tears, featuring Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, has been garnering attention both at home and abroad through Netflix. However, there’s been a surge in unauthorized streaming of the series in China.
On the 23rd, Professor Seo Kyung Deok from Sungshin Women’s University revealed that a review page for Queen of Tears had been established on the Chinese content review platform DouBan, despite the drama not being officially available in China. More than 46,000 reviews have been posted for the show.
Professor Seo commented, “Illegal viewing of Korean content in China has become commonplace, as with the recent movie Exhuma. What is more astonishing is the lack of shame regarding this behavior.”
He urged the Chinese authorities to take action, calling for stricter controls within China. He pointed out that Chinese authorities cracked down on illegal distribution during the recent Beijing Winter Olympics and infringed intellectual property rights related to the Olympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen.
Professor Seo said, “The Chinese authorities are not oblivious to this issue. They have been turning a blind eye to the theft-viewing of K-content. From now on, they need to recognize the importance of respecting other countries’ cultures and crack down on illegal activities by their citizens.”
He also advised, “We should not only focus on creating good content but also put more effort into building a system that can be protected worldwide.”
China’s illicit streaming has been an ongoing issue. Even though Netflix isn’t accessible in the country, viewers have been watching series like Squid Game, The Glory, Disney+’s Moving, and the movie Exhuma through illegal channels, causing much irritation.
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