Sculptures and murals associated with the global boy group BTS are anticipated to gradually vanish nationwide. This is due to HYBE, BTS’s management company, issuing official letters demanding the removal of BTS-related sculptures from various locations, citing intellectual rights infringement.
As reported by TenAsia on January 8, Samcheok City removed the popular BTS photo zone tourist spot and guide signs at Maengbang Beach on January 5. This decision came in response to an official letter from HYBE sent to Samcheok City on December 21, 2023, requesting the removal of all BTS-related sculptures. HYBE contended that the sculptures at Maengbang Beach violated BTS’s intellectual property rights. Despite Samcheok City attempting negotiations with HYBE, it was reported that these efforts ultimately failed, resulting in the removal of the popular tourist attraction.
Numerous locations in South Korea, including beaches, breakwaters, bus stops, and makeshift stations, have gained fame as filming sites for BTS’s hit songs or music videos, earning the nickname “pilgrimage sites” among fans and have been must-visit locations for fans. For instance, Maengbang Beach in Samcheok City became renowned as the shooting location for BTS’s hit song “Butter.” Other locations, such as the Red Lighthouse in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk, are known as ‘BTS Lighthouse’ and attract tourists. BTS murals in Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village and a mural street dedicated to V and Suga in Daegu further contribute to the popularity.
Nevertheless, HYBE has been urging the removal of BTS-related sculptures from places preserving BTS memories, citing trademark and portrait rights associated with those locations. An official from one locality informed TenAsia, “HYBE sent an official document demanding removal, citing potential legal issues due to intellectual property rights infringement.” The official added that attempts to negotiate with HYBE were unsuccessful, leading to the unavoidable removal.
In response to these actions, some local authorities have expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that creating sculptures and murals at public expense for the benefit of fans seeking BTS’ album cover and music video locations serves a public interest. However, the necessity for ‘principled measures’ cannot be ignored, as without HYBE’s intervention, there is a risk of local authorities indiscriminately utilizing BTS’s intellectual property rights. A HYBE official clarified, “We do not grant permission for streets, sculptures, and murals using our artists’ names and intellectual property rights by government agencies, local governments, and public institutions,” emphasizing the measure’s purpose to protect artists’ intellectual property rights, considering the challenges of ongoing management.
If Samcheok City proceeds with the removal of BTS sculptures this week, there is a potential for sculptures in other locations to be sequentially dismantled in the future. A local official from an area with BTS-related tourist attractions expressed a desire for ongoing discussions with conditions for continuous management, given the close relationship with local tourism, including the attraction of foreign tourists.
However, Korean netizens agreed with HYBE in removing such installations and commented, “Why did they make such installments without getting permission in the first place?” “They should’ve gotten permission first,” “It shouldn’t have been allowed,” “They used BTS’s IP without permission so how can they ask for negotiations,” “So, they didn’t receive permission in the first place? Then that is a big problem,” “I thought HYBE allowed the cities to install these!” “Wow, they didn’t get permission?” and “They should’ve just gotten permission first.”
