Amidst the controversy stirred by certain Chinese internet users who mocked the hit Korean film 'Exhuma,' Professor Seo Kyung Duk from Sungshin Women's University highlighted the issue of illegal viewing of the movie within China.

According to Professor Seo, as of March 15, a review page for 'Exhuma' has been established on the Chinese content review platform Douban, boasting over 650 posted reviews.

Expressing his concern, Professor Seo criticized the prevalence of the illegal distribution of Korean content in China, noting the alarming absence of any sense of shame associated with it.

Furthermore, the professor underscored the troubling behavior of some Chinese netizens who, driven by feelings of an "inferiority complex," resort to baseless criticism on social media platforms such as Weibo, X (formerly Twitter), and others. He urged the Chinese authorities to intervene.

He highlighted, "During the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese authorities implemented stringent measures to safeguard the intellectual property rights and curb the illicit distribution of the Olympic mascot 'Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon.'" He noted, "It's evident that the Chinese authorities are not oblivious to these issues. However, they have chosen to overlook the unauthorized viewing of K-content."

The professor further stated, "Henceforth, it is imperative for Chinese authorities to acknowledge the paramount importance of respecting the cultures of other nations and to manifest this recognition through tangible actions."

He underscored, "Our focus should not solely be on creating quality content but also on devising robust systems that can be safeguarded on a global scale."

Earlier, when some Chinese netizens derided the Hanja facial tattoos adorned by actors like Kim Go Eun and Lee Do Hyun in 'Exhuma' as "absurd," Professor Seo swiftly retorted, "Don't watch illegally," and his response struck a chord.

"Exhuma" (directed by Jang Jae Hyun), which has surpassed 8 million domestic viewers and is on the cusp of reaching 10 million, has secured distribution deals in 133 countries, starting from Mongolia.

Despite the movie not being officially released in China yet, a Chinese netizen posted a derisive comment on X (formerly Twitter), mocking actors for resorting to tattoos to avoid conflicts on March 7. The post quickly amassed over 6 million views, sparking intense debates.

Professor Seo remarked, "In recent years, Korean dramas and movies have garnered significant global attention, exacerbating the sense of an inferiority complex among Chinese netizens." He continued, "While constructive criticism is encouraged, I would like to caution Chinese netizens against illegally consuming K-content from this point forward."