Park IU unauthorized image use causes uproar in China’s supermarket advertising
The beloved faces of K-drama stars Park Bo Gum and IU have been spotted in a rather unexpected place – plastered all over a Chinese supermarket’s advertising without permission! This Park IU unauthorized image use has sparked massive outrage among fans and industry professionals alike. The stars, known for their captivating performances in Netflix’s hit series ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ never gave consent for their images to be used to sell cabbage and pea rice in a Hebei Province supermarket.
What makes this situation even more problematic is that ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ isn’t even officially available in China! This unauthorized use raises serious questions about illegal content distribution and the violation of publicity rights that protect celebrities from having their images misused for commercial purposes. The Park IU unauthorized image use incident has now become a hot topic that highlights the ongoing challenges Korean entertainment faces in protecting intellectual property overseas.
Unauthorized Use of K-Drama Stars Exposed by Netizens
The Park IU unauthorized image use scandal came to light thanks to vigilant fans who reported the violation to Professor Seo Kyung Duk of Sungshin Women’s University. Sharp-eyed netizens noticed still cuts from the popular Netflix drama being used throughout the supermarket’s promotional displays. In these unauthorized advertisements, Park Bo Gum’s character Yang Gwan Shik and IU’s character Oh Ae Soon were featured alongside catchy phrases like “Sweet cabbage!” and “Try Ae Soon’s pea rice!” without any permission from the actors or production company.
This blatant misuse of their images for commercial gain has left many Seoul Crushers feeling upset and protective of their favorite stars. The unauthorized use wasn’t subtle or hidden – the supermarket boldly displayed large promotional materials featuring the actors’ faces throughout different product sections, treating them as if they were official brand ambassadors when they clearly were not.
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Growing Pattern of Korean Content Exploitation in Chinese Markets
Unfortunately, this Park IU unauthorized image use isn’t an isolated incident. Professor Seo pointed out that this case represents a troubling pattern of Korean entertainment being illegally distributed and commercially exploited in China. “This is not just a case of illegal streaming but also blatant commercial exploitation of the actors’ images without consent,” he explained with evident frustration.
In recent years, characters from other wildly popular Korean shows like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘The Glory’ have suffered similar fates in Chinese markets. Their images have been misappropriated to promote counterfeit goods and generate profits for businesses that have no legal ties to these productions. The Park IU unauthorized image use follows this concerning trend where Korean intellectual property is treated as free-for-all marketing material despite clear international copyright protections.
While Netflix doesn’t officially operate in China, Korean dramas – including ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ – continue to find their way to Chinese audiences through unauthorized distribution channels. This widespread accessibility through illegal means has unfortunately facilitated the misuse of content and celebrity images for commercial purposes.
Final Thoughts on the Park IU Unauthorized Image Use Crisis
The Park IU unauthorized image use in Chinese supermarkets represents a serious violation that demands attention at governmental levels. Professor Seo didn’t mince words when addressing the situation: “If Chinese authorities are turning a blind eye to this, they’re effectively condoning the illegal distribution of foreign content. Government-level action is urgently needed to protect the rights of Korean creators and their intellectual property.”
As fans and supporters of Korean entertainment, this situation highlights the importance of respecting the hard work and image rights of our favorite stars. The unauthorized exploitation not only affects the actors personally but also undermines the entire entertainment industry that works tirelessly to create the content we love.
What do you think about this unauthorized use of Park Bo Gum and IU’s images? Should international action be taken to better protect Korean stars from such exploitation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
