HYBE, the management company of BTS, has initiated a nationwide removal of BTS-related murals and sculptures. According to a report by TenAsia, Samcheok City took down the BTS photo zone and guide signs at Maengbang Beach earlier this month. This decision followed an official letter from HYBE sent on December 21, 2023, demanding the removal of all BTS-related sculptures.

Many locations in South Korea are famous because BTS’s music videos were filmed there. Fans call these places “pilgrimage sites.” These include Maengbang Beach, the filming location of the “Butter” MV, and the Red Lighthouse in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk, known as the “BTS Lighthouse.” BTS murals in Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village and murals dedicated to SUGA and V in Daegu contribute to their popularity.

However, HYBE is calling for the removal of BTS-related murals and sculptures from these sites. Attempts by Samcheok City to negotiate ultimately failed, leading to the removal of the popular tourist attraction. HYBE also called out the Nam-gu district office in Busan and Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province for using BTS’s logo and a mural of RM, respectively, for promotional purposes.

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HYBE explains their stance

A company representative explained, “We don’t grant permission for streets, sculptures, and murals. We prohibit such creations as they could negatively influence the image of our artists when damaged or badly managed.”

This displeased some local authorities. They argue that putting up sculptures and murals at public expense for fans interested in visiting BTS’s filming locations serves a public interest. One official from an area featuring BTS-related tourist attractions expressed a desire to continue discussions with the company, hoping to reach a compromise through further talks.

Korean netizens largely agreed with HYBE’s decision to remove such installations. This consensus was especially strong after it was discovered that local authorities didn’t obtain permission first. HYBE’s stance highlights the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This sculpture in Samcheok City has already been removed. Source: Naver.