`'Squid Game 2' struggles with piracy worldwide amid global popularity

Season 2 of 'Squid Game' has taken the world by storm, ranking at the top Netflix show in 93 countries globally for five consecutive days. However, its success is being overshadowed by significant damage caused by widespread illegal distribution. Netflix, which invested over 100 billion KRW (67.9 million USD) in the production, has expressed deep concern over this issue.

Since 'Squid Game 2' premiered on Netflix on December 26, it has been illegally distributed on various domestic streaming platforms, including TVMong, TVWiki, and HooHooTV. Notably, the final episode uploaded on HooHooTV has already surpassed 28.2 million views, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

A key concern is the accessibility of this illegal content. The episodes are available in high definition and offer subtitles in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese, increasing the risk of unauthorized distribution on a global scale. Comments such as "Uploaded at lightning speed" and "Thanks for helping me save on Netflix costs" reflect how normalized illegal streaming has become.

Efforts to crack down on illegal streaming have proven difficult. Although the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s Copyright Crime Investigation Division recently arrested the operator of NoonooTV, similar sites have quickly emerged to take its place. These platforms often host servers overseas and frequently change their web addresses, making permanent shutdowns nearly impossible.

The situation is especially severe in China, where illegal viewing has reached an alarming scale. The Chinese content review platform Douban has already logged over 70,000 reviews for Squid Game 2. Given that Netflix does not operate in China, most of these reviews are presumed to result from unauthorized streaming.

Professor Seo Kyung Duk of Sungshin Women’s University criticized this behavior, stating, “Illegal streaming has become routine in China, with no sense of shame. It's shocking and unacceptable.”

He also highlighted the hypocrisy in China’s approach to content protection. For instance, during the Beijing Winter Olympics, China strictly enforced intellectual property rights for its mascot, Bing Dwen Dwen. Yet, when it comes to Korean content, Chinese authorities have largely turned a blind eye to illegal streaming. Professor Seo called on the Chinese government to take immediate action to combat these violations.

As a member of the international copyright protection organization ACE, Netflix continues to fight against illegal distribution. A Netflix representative stated, “The illegal distribution of valuable content created by hardworking creators is deeply regrettable. We are working with global monitoring agencies to tackle this issue and prevent further damage.”

Despite these challenges, 'Squid Game 2' continues to dominate global viewership. Within just two days of its release, it claimed the top spot in 93 countries worldwide. The new season follows Gi Hun (played by Lee Jung Jae), the previous game’s winner, as he returns to seek revenge. His reentry into the deadly competition sets the stage for an intense showdown with the enigmatic Front Man (played by Lee Byung Hun).

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