Evidence has surfaced that Netflix’s most anticipated release of the year, Squid Game Season 2, is being illegally distributed in China, continuing the pattern set by its predecessor. In response, Professor Seo Kyung Duk of Sungshin Women’s University has called on Chinese authorities to take firm action against piracy.
On Tuesday, Seo took to social media to voice his concerns. He pointed out that, just like when Squid Game Season 1 was released, unauthorized streaming has become widespread in China, with viewers showing no apparent sense of shame. “This brazen attitude is especially troubling,” Seo remarked. On Douban, a major Chinese social media platform, Squid Game Season 2 currently holds a 6.4 out of 10 rating, with approximately 60,000 reviews. Since Netflix is not officially available in China, these numbers strongly suggest that many viewers are watching the show through illegal means.
Seo did not criticize China’s history of intellectual property violations. He noted that the country has long exploited the likenesses of K-pop stars and produced counterfeit merchandise for profit. “It’s clear that Chinese authorities have consistently turned a blind eye to these practices,” Seo said. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect, stating, “If China wants its own culture to be respected globally, it must first learn to respect the intellectual property of other nations.” Seo urged the Chinese government to take stronger measures and launch a thorough crackdown on illegal activities conducted by its citizens.