Chinese viewers are illegally streaming Byeon Woo-seok and IU's 'Perfect Crown'... after pirated BTS merchandise distribution

\r\n
[Financial News] As the MBC Friday-Saturday drama starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok, 'Perfect Crown,' continues to draw strong viewership, some Chinese internet users have been found watching the series through illegal streaming channels.
The drama is also enjoying strong popularity worldwide through the global streaming service Disney+.
Professor Seo Kyung-duk said on the 23rd that a review page for 'Perfect Crown' had been created on Douban, China's largest review site, and that as of the 23rd, more than 10,000 people had already taken part in the rating, leaving about 4,000 reviews.
A search for 'Perfect Crown' on Baidu, China's largest portal, also easily leads to free streaming sites.
Previously, some Chinese internet users were often found illegally watching popular K-dramas on global OTT platforms such as Netflix. The sale of pirated goods, including BTS 'Arirang' merchandise, at online shopping malls has also sparked controversy.
At the time, Professor Seo said, "Many internet users sent me tips," and added, "After checking, I found that T-shirts and various accessories using the Arirang logo openly were being sold on Taobao, AliExpress and other platforms."
When Netflix's 'Squid Game' also became a global sensation, the distribution of pirated goods in China drew major criticism. At the time, foreign media outlets including the South China Morning Post reported that "some of the most popular Squid Game-related products on Korea's online shopping site Coupang were being sold by companies in Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, as well as in Anhui Province."
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter