A wave of controversy has arisen from Chinese internet users mocking the popular Korean film ‘Exhuma,’ prompting Professor Seo Kyung Duk from Sungshin Women’s University to address the issue of illegal film viewing in China.

Professor Seo pointed out that as of March 15, there were over 650 reviews posted on the Chinese content review platform Douban for ‘Exhuma,’ indicating widespread interest.

Expressing concern, Professor Seo condemned the widespread illegal distribution of Korean content in China, lamenting the lack of accountability associated with it.

He further highlighted the troubling behaviour of certain Chinese netizens who, driven by feelings of inferiority, engage in baseless criticism on platforms like Weibo and X (formerly Twitter), urging Chinese authorities to take action.

Professor Seo emphasized that during the Beijing Winter Olympics, stringent measures were taken to protect intellectual property rights, yet unauthorized viewing of Korean content persists.

He stressed the need for Chinese authorities to recognize and respect the cultures of other nations, calling for tangible steps to address the issue.

Earlier, when some Chinese netizens ridiculed the Hanja facial tattoos worn by actors in ‘Exhuma’ as “absurd,” Professor Seo promptly responded, urging people not to watch illegally.

Directed by Jang Jae Hyun, ‘Exhuma’ has garnered immense popularity with over 8 million domestic viewers and distribution deals in 133 countries, starting from Mongolia.

Despite not being officially released in China, a post mocking the film gained over 6 million views on X (formerly Twitter) on March 7, sparking heated debates.

Professor Seo highlighted that the growing global popularity of Korean dramas and movies has exacerbated feelings of inferiority among some Chinese netizens.

While encouraging constructive criticism, he cautioned against illegal consumption of Korean content moving forward.