MBC’s “Hangout With Yoo” Apologizes After An Illustrator Criticizes The Production For Using Artwork Without Permission
In the latest episode of MBC‘s hit TV program Hangout With Yoo, hosted by comedian Yoo Jae Suk, appeared a humorous illustration about a cycle of regrets. The illustration, titled the “Bermuda Triangle of What Ifs,” poked fun at how “the average people working 8-to-5 on salary” always and forever regret “not having bought that house, that stock, that bitcoin in the past.”
In the episode, the illustration was credited to RULIWEB — a Korean online community site built around gamers. And shortly after the broadcast, the illustrator Yoon Sun Young (@jikwon.yoon) took to Instagram and stated that the artwork has been used without permission.
The lengthy Instagram post read, “While my artwork is available to everyone for non-commercial use, I have never granted permission for its commercial use on MBC’s Hangout With Yoo.” The illustrator heavily criticized the broadcasting company for the “lack of effort to abide by copyright laws.”
I have been made aware, thanks to my followers, that my artwork has been taken for commercial use. MBC’s ‘Hangout With Yoo’ used my illustration without my permission. While my artwork is currently available to everyone for non-commercial use — like to set as messenger profiles, its commercial use without permission is strictly banned.
In fact, not only did ‘Hangout With Yoo’ use my illustration without permission, they also credited the wrong site. I have never uploaded my artwork to RULIWEB. I only share my artwork on my Instagram and BRUNCH.
So even if the production team of ‘Hangout With Yoo’ came across my artwork on RULIWEB, the credit should not have been to RULIWEB. This is not how you credit artwork. Plus, online community sites are where content gets shared — not where content gets created. The production team should have gone the extra step to trace the illustration back to me and contact me for permission. Coming from the same industry of art and entertainment, I do not understand this lack of effort.
Finally, I’m sorry I had to post this on Instagram for my followers to see. I hope that over the weekend I’m able to get in touch with the ‘Hangout With Yoo’ team to file an official complaint. Thank you for reading. I’ll come back with a lighter post next time.
— @jikwon.yoon
As Hangout With Yoo viewers grow more disappointed in the production team’s “lazy” work, the production team has since shared an apology on the Hangout With Yoo official Instagram feed.
Hello, this is the production team of ‘Hangout With Yoo.’ In the 84th episode, we used an illustration without crediting the correct illustrator. After the broadcast, the production team became aware of the situation and had been trying to contact the illustrator Yoon Sun Young. As soon as we get in touch with the illustrator, we are going to personally apologize for the mistake and work out the permission to use the illustration. We will strive to be more careful with the production of ‘Hangout With Yoo’ in the future, as a way of repaying the viewers for the support.
— “Hangout With Yoo” Production Team
Meanwhile, the criticism over “copyright violations” is becoming more frequent in the Korean TV industry — as viewers become more aware of what is the correct usage of certain illustrations and photos. Previously, tvN‘s equally-beloved TV program Amazing Saturday took heat after the production team made fun of non-celebrity pictures in an episode.
“Amazing Saturday” Under Fire For Making Fun Of A Non-Celebrity’s Picture On The Show
