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A BTS tourism package promoted by The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of South Korea was reported to have been sold without HYBE or BIGHIT MUSIC's consent. On September 28, SBS News reported that a travel agency had included a BTS street mural tour in its package without obtaining permission from the group's agency.
Since July 2024, the travel agency has been advertising BTS’ V and Suga's street murals in Daegu, their hometown, as a part of their itinerary stating that the street is a must-visit for K-pop fans. Notably, the cost of the visit included over 1.3 million KRW. The street murals were established by a prominent fan club in China, the artist’s agency HYBE as well as the Seo-gu office.
This violates the publicity infringement rights where celebrities' voices, images, or content are used to advertise a product. Moreover, The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reportedly spread press releases promoting this tourism package, fueling the situation. Additionally, the Visit Korea Committee also shared information regarding the tourism package as well as the destination and schedule on their official website.
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HYBE and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism respond to BTS’ street mural tourism package controversy
BTS’ V, aka Kim Taehyung, and Suga have street murals dedicated by fans in the idols' hometown Daegu— something which has become a topic of discussion online due to the tourism package controversy. Kim Taehyung’s Daegu street mural, which was established by Baidu Vbar fan club members from China, is a large-scale panoramic illustration that is 2m high and 60m long displayed on the outer wall of Daeseong Elementary School in Bisan-dong, Daegu. Daeseong Elementary School is the alma mater of V and not too far is also located Suga's Daegu mural, showcasing an illustration of the Haegeum rapper's face.
A travel agency that included BTS’ street mural tour in the itinerary is said to have not taken consent from HYBE while also charging tourists 1.3 million KRW for the tour. HYBE reportedly responded to SBS that they have asked the travel agency to pause the tour.
They said,
“We were not even aware of this business in advance. In accordance with the principle of protecting the intellectual property rights of our artists, we requested the travel agency to stop the tour.”
Meanwhile, the Visit Korea Committee also deleted the information regarding the mural street tour, and The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reportedly stated they were looking into the facts and would take required measures following the same.
They said,
“We will first check the facts, and if a problem is confirmed, we will take appropriate action.”
On the other hand, Democratic Party lawmaker, Kang Yoo-jung has reportedly weighed in on the issue with her opinion regarding the infringement of the K-pop group’s rights.
She said,
“We could end up allowing important Korean cultural assets like BTS to be violated without guaranteeing basic rights.”
In other news, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are currently fulfilling their national duties and completing their military conscription. The 94-liner member J-Hope is expected to be discharged in October 2024, becoming the second member of the K-pop boy group to be discharged from his services.
Meanwhile, the eldest member of the group, Jin, was the first one to be discharged from military service on June 12, 2024. All seven members of BTS are expected to be discharged and reunite as a group in 2025.
