Netflix's 'Monthly Boyfriend' Faces Illegal Viewing in China
Discover why the K-drama 'Monthly Boyfriend' is trending in China despite Netflix being blocked. Learn the term λλ μμ² and its cultural context.
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Discover why the K-drama 'Monthly Boyfriend' is trending in China despite Netflix being blocked. Learn the term λλ μμ² and its cultural context.
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EN brief: λ·νλ¦μ€ λͺ» 보λλ° 'μκ°λ¨μΉ' νμ 7000κ°β¦μ€κ΅ λ 'λλ μμ²' νλ‘ (culture) + 1 glossary term.
The Korean Netflix series 'Monthly Boyfriend' has become the latest target of illegal streaming in China. Despite Netflix not being officially available in the country, the show has garnered thousands of reviews and high ratings on major Chinese social media platforms.
Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University recently highlighted this issue, pointing out that a dedicated review page for the series appeared on a popular Chinese site. As of March 17, approximately 7,000 users had rated the show, with over 3,500 written reviews submitted.
This incident is part of a recurring pattern where popular Korean content is consumed through unauthorized channels in China. Previous global hits like 'The Glory', 'Squid Game', and 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' faced similar challenges with widespread illegal downloads and distribution.
Professor Seo has called for Chinese authorities to take active measures against these copyright violations. He emphasized that the lack of shame regarding illegal viewing has become a normalized but serious problem that needs to be addressed at a governmental level.
The controversy erupted when it was discovered that 'Monthly Boyfriend' was being widely discussed and rated on Chinese review platforms. Since Netflix is blocked by the 'Great Firewall' of China, the existence of thousands of user ratings serves as undeniable proof that the content is being accessed through illegal means, such as VPNs or pirated streaming sites.
According to data shared by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk on his social media, the scale of the 'stealth viewing' is significant. The 7,000 ratings and 3,500 reviews appeared shortly after the show's global release, indicating that Chinese viewers are keeping pace with international audiences despite the official ban on the service.
Netflix's own data confirms the show's massive popularity elsewhere. Within just three days of its release, 'Monthly Boyfriend' ranked 4th in the 'Global Weekly Top 10 Non-English TV Shows' category. It has also reached the Top 10 lists in 34 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile.
Professor Seo criticized the situation, stating that illegal viewing has become an everyday occurrence in China. He expressed frustration that many viewers seem to feel no remorse for consuming stolen content. He urged the Chinese government to educate its citizens on intellectual property rights and implement strict measures to prevent future occurrences.
While the article mentions that 'Monthly Boyfriend' is a global hit, it does not specify the exact Chinese websites where the illegal reviews were posted, though it refers to them as 'China's largest review sites.' The report also notes that this is a long-standing issue affecting various K-content genres, from dramas to variety shows.
λλ μμ²doduk sicheong (doduk sicheong) literally translates to "thief viewing" or "stealth viewing." It refers to the act of watching copyrighted content through illegal, unauthorized, or pirated channels without paying for a subscription or ticket.
λ§μ μ¬λλ€μ΄ λλΌλ§λ₯Ό λλ μμ²νκ³ μλ€.manheun saramdeuri deuramareul doduk sicheonghago itda. β Many people are watching the drama illegally.
λλ μμ²μ μ°½μμλ€μκ² ν° νΌν΄λ₯Ό μ€λ€.doduk sicheoeun changjakjadeurege keun pihaereul junda. β Stealth viewing causes great harm to creators.