BTS-related sculptures and murals all around Korea are expected to disappear gradually. It was confirmed that HYBE sent an official letter to the local government that installed the BTS sculpture, demanding its removal due to infringement of intellectual property rights.
According to media outlet Tenasia, the city of Samcheok decided to demolish the BTS photo zone sculpture and information sign at Maengbang Beach. This is a measure taken after HYBE sent an official letter to the city last year requesting the removal of all BTS-related sculptures. HYBE requested the removal of the sculpture, saying it infringes on BTS’ intellectual property rights. The city reported that it tried to negotiate with HYBE, but it ultimately fell through. In the end, an important tourist resource was lost.
BTS sculpture at Maengbang Beach in Samcheok. | Tenasia
Beaches, breakwaters, bus stops, and simple stations all over the country have become famous as locations for filming BTS’ hit song photo shoot and music videos, and there are several so-called “hot spots” by fans. In particular, Maengbang Beach in Samcheok is famous as the filming location for the jacket of BTS’ hit song “Butter”, and a bus stop in Gangneung has a sculpture called “Spring Day Stop”. The red lighthouse in Yeongdeok is called the “BTS Lighthouse” and is loved by tourists. Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan is famous for its BTS murals. There is also a mural street of V and Suga in Daegu.
BTS sculpture at Maengbang Beach in Samcheok. | Tenasia
However, HYBE is requesting the local government to demolish the place where BTS’s memories reside because BTS’s trademark rights or image rights were displayed and specified. A local government official told Tenasia, “BTS’s agency sent an official document requesting its demolition saying, ‘It could be a legal problem.’ They said they are banning its use because it infringes on intellectual property rights.” They added, “We tried to negotiate with HYBE, but they said they would not consult with them and there is no such precedent so far, so we had no choice but to demolish it.” Samcheok City plans to demolish the BTS sculpture within this week.
BTS sculpture at Maengbang Beach in Samcheok. | Tenasia
Some local governments are complaining about this measure. The local government created sculptures and murals for the public interest for fans who visit the places featured on BTS’s jackets and music videos, but it is an excessive measure to stop them.
However, if HYBE does not stop this, the indiscriminate use of BTS intellectual property rights by local governments cannot be prevented. An official from HYBE said, “In principle, government ministries, local governments, public institutions, etc. do not give permission for street construction, sculpture, or mural production that uses our company’s intellectual property rights, including the names of our artists.” They explained, “We took into account the fact that if continuous management becomes difficult, it will not be good for the artist’s image.”
If Samcheok demolishes the BTS sculpture this week, there is a possibility that sculptures in other local governments will be demolished sequentially in the future. An official from a local government that owns a BTS-related tourist site said, “As it is closely related to local tourism, including attracting foreign tourists, I hope there will be an agreement on the condition of continuous management.”
