Amid the global attention on the third season of Squid Game on Netflix, there is controversy surrounding the sale of illegal merchandise in a large Chinese online shopping mall.
According to Professor Seo Kyung-duk on the 7th, various illegal goods related to Squid Game, such as T-shirts and wall art, are being sold on AliExpress, which targets customers worldwide.
Previously, the distribution of illegal copies and unauthorized viewing of Squid Game's first and second seasons also sparked significant controversy in China. In particular, following the release of Squid Game's first season, vendors selling counterfeit merchandise on large online shopping sites in China profited significantly.
At the time, foreign media outlets, including the Hong Kong South China Morning Post, reported that "some of the top-selling products related to Squid Game on Korean online shopping sites are being sold by corporations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, as well as in Anhui Province."
Most importantly, creating and selling goods that illegally use the likenesses of actors, such as Lee Jung-jae, who appeared in Squid Game, is a significant issue.
In response, Professor Seo Kyung-duk criticized, "This is truly a pathetic act," noting that "not only the illegal viewing but also the creation of illegal merchandise for profit is unacceptable."
Additionally, Professor Seo stated, "It should stop now," emphasizing that "the act of 'stealing' content from other countries must come to an end."
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