HYBE’s BTS Notice Receives Backlash, Mixed Reactions From Fans

Fans are taking issue with these rules.

BTS‘s agency, BigHit Music, is receiving criticism from fans in response to an announcement.

BTS | HYBE

On December 1, an official notice regarding BTS’s portrait rights was posted on the Weverse app, ahead of the group’s final two PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE shows in Los Angeles.

Hello. This is BigHit Music. During the concert for BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA, there have been actions which violated the artists’ portraiture rights and copyrights. All actions that violate BigHit Music and the artists’ portraiture rights and other copyrights are prohibited, such as taking photographs and videos, voice recordings and live streaming etc.

Other than [cellphones], other filming or recording devices are strictly not allowed to be brought in on site. In the case of violations of these rules, including filming on your phones, you may be asked to delete the footage and be forced to leave. Hence, we ask for everyone’s cooperation.

In the future, we will do our best to take care of our artists’ portraiture and copyrights.

Thank you.

— BigHit Music

Fansites–fans who take high-definition photos and videos of BTS with professional cameras–have a history of violating BTS’s portrait rights and causing safety risks to other fans. During one PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA concert, an ARMY was physically assaulted by a fansite who had slipped into the venue without a ticket.

While fans are praising the agency for taking action against fansites, many are expressing concern and frustration about the following:

Other than [cellphones], other filming or recording devices are strictly not allowed to be brought in on site. In the case of violations of these rules, including filming on your phones, you may be asked to delete the footage and be forced to leave.

— BigHit Music

In other words, phones are permitted at concerts, but they will not be allowed to be used for the purpose of taking photos or recording videos. Some fans say BigHit Music is being too harsh on fans, who have spent hundreds, even thousands, supporting BTS.

This no-recording rule would restrict fans from capturing memories on their phones and sharing them with the fans who cannot attend the shows due to the tickets’ supply and demand, COVID-19 travel restrictions, and more.

Fans have also pointed out a difference between the English and Korean versions of the notice. The Korean version mentions soundcheck performances, during which fans have always been banned from recording with their phones. This, along with the wording of the English notice, has led to confusion.

While many claim the English notice has been mistranslated or is missing key information from the Korean notice, others feel that the difference between the two notices is not a mistake.

While BigHit Music has not yet responded to these concerns, fans hope the agency will clarify the situation soon.

BTS