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Professor flags unauthorized 'Arirang' merchandise on Chinese e-commerce sites as BTS returns from hiatus

7 articles | Updated 3h ago | Created 16h ago
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A professor has raised concerns over the proliferation of counterfeit "BTS Arirang" products sold by unverified sellers across major Chinese online marketplaces, a trend coinciding with K-pop supergroup's return after four years without releasing new music since 2018 to promote their fifth studio album.

  1. 1
    K-pop group BTS has returned from a four-year hiatus with the release of their fifth album, 'Arirang'.
  2. 2
    Unauthorized merchandise featuring images and lyrics for both Korean fans ('BTS Arise') is appearing on Chinese e-commerce platforms.
  3. 3
    'Professor Seo Kyung-duk' at Sungshin Women's University has flagged these unauthorized items as a concern.
[Mar 24, 06:56] News.sbs.co.kr reports on the appearance of BTS merchandise in China and mentions 'BTS Arise' lyrics being leaked or discussed alongside it.
[Mar 23, 23:47] (Inferred from context) Koreaherald article states that unauthorized ARIRANG merchandise has begun appearing on Chinese e-commerce sites following the group's return with their fifth album.
[Mar 23, 06:57] Rss.etoday.co.kr reports BTS returning from a four-year hiatus and mentions 'BTS Arise' lyrics being discussed alongside merchandise issues in China (implied context).
[자막뉴스] 중국 쇼핑몰서 'BTS 굿즈' 버젓이…"도둑질 판매" 논란
중국 쇼핑몰서 BTS ‘아리랑’ 불법 굿즈 기승...초상권 침해 논란
“BTS 아리랑 로고까지 무단 사용”…中 쇼핑몰 불법 굿즈 논란
서경덕 "중국 온라인서 BTS 불법 굿즈 판매…도둑질"
Professor flags unauthorized ‘Arirang’ merchandise on Chinese e-commerce sites

Professor Seo Kyung-duk reported finding major Chinese e-commerce platforms like Taobao and AliExpress selling unauthorized BTS merchandise, including items featuring member likenesses. He drew parallels to previous controversies over pirated "Squid Game" goods in China while calling for an end to the illegal production of counterfeit content abroad.