[Reporter’s Notebook] In the End, Only Overseas Platforms Benefit?... Koreans Do the Work, Netflix Takes the Money

"Everybody know now where the K is." On March 21, the BTS concert held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul came to an end. As the concert took place at iconic Korean landmarks such as Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace, the power of K-content was delivered to the world. In the lyrics of "Aliens," a new song from BTS's fifth studio album "Arirang (ARIRANG)," there is a line addressing the independence activist Kim Gu, who dreamed of Korea as a cultural powerhouse: "Pardon Kim Gu sir, tell me how you feel."

Although the event concluded successfully, many citizens were not satisfied. The government's excessive control has come under criticism. The police mobilized approximately 7,000 personnel, set up 31 gates, and installed 80 metal detectors at the venue. The fire department also dispatched 800 personnel and provided 100 emergency and rescue vehicles. On the day of the concert, museums and art galleries in Gwanghwamun were closed. Road controls in the vicinity started before the event, and parcel deliveries in some areas were restricted. On the day of the concert, there were inconveniences such as subway trains skipping stops and excessive security checks, but citizens 'willingly' endured them. Nevertheless, the estimated number of attendees was only between 60,000 and 100,000, far below the expected 260,000. While safety is important, criticism has emerged that too many administrative resources were deployed.

Above all, there is significant discontent over the fact that the profits from this concert are going to an overseas over-the-top (OTT) platform. Netflix exclusively secured the broadcasting rights for BTS's Gwanghwamun live concert and streamed it simultaneously to 190 countries. In addition, Netflix obtained all secondary rights, including re-editing, and video-on-demand (VOD) ownership of the concert. While it is said that the economic effect of this concert will exceed 1 trillion won, there is no disagreement that Netflix is the "greatest beneficiary."

Netflix has profited from the popularity of K-content, but has avoided the cost burden of broadcasting through infrastructure built by domestic telecom companies. The costs are borne by the Korean telecom companies. To prevent problems caused by traffic surges, telecom companies pour money into expanding network capacity, but they do not receive fair compensation from global platforms like Netflix. The total usage fee paid by HYBE and Netflix for the use of national heritage sites, including Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Sungnyemun, was only about 90 million won.

Of course, there are benefits such as the spread of soft power and the promotion of domestic consumption. Nonetheless, it is necessary to reconsider the reality in which some companies reap the substantial benefits of an event for which citizens have borne the inconvenience. It is time to rethink a system where global platforms monopolize profits while using domestic infrastructure. The structure in which members of the Korean community do the work, but overseas OTT platforms take the money, should not continue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.