Controversy Surrounds 'My Name is Ahn Eun-soo' in China Over Unauthorized Viewing and Image Rights

The popular Netflix series My Name is Ahn Eun-soo (폭싹 속았수다), starring IU (아이유) and Park Bo-gum (박보검), is facing controversy in China not only for being illegally streamed but also for the unauthorized use of the actors' likenesses. The drama, which follows the adventurous life of Ahn Eun-soo (played by IU), a spirited rebel from Jeju, and Kwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), has gained immense popularity since its premiere on March 7, 2025, with all episodes released by March 28, 2025.

Despite Netflix not being officially available in China, the series has found a massive audience there, with viewers resorting to VPNs and illegal downloads to access the show. Various OTT platforms have uploaded episodes, and Chinese media outlets have been actively reviewing the series. Notably, My Name is Ahn Eun-soo has received a high rating of 9.4 on Douban, China's largest rating site.

However, the situation escalated when it was reported that images of Kwan-sik and Eun-soo were used without permission in advertisements at a supermarket in Hebei Province. Professor Seo Kyung-duk (서경덕) from Sungshin Women's University revealed that the images were used to promote products, including a scene where Kwan-sik sells cabbage next to Eun-soo, with captions like 'Cabbage for Sale.' Other products also featured their likenesses with phrases such as 'Try making pea rice from Eun-soo's house' and 'Is this fish fresh?'

Professor Seo criticized this as a clear example of how illegally viewed content leads to the exploitation of the actors' image rights. He pointed out that China has a history of using the likenesses of K-pop stars from popular series like Squid Game (오징어 게임) and The Glory (더 글로리) without permission, often creating counterfeit products for profit.

He emphasized that the ongoing unauthorized use of these images is a public acknowledgment of the illegal viewing practices in China. Professor Seo called for the Chinese authorities to take action against these illegal activities and enforce stricter regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.