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

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

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 handphones, 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.

Okay I’m sick and tired of “armys” saying “not all fansites are bad” with a bunch of arguments that are filled with holes.
1.”Look they’re waving at the fansite” “they recognize the fansite”
Hardly doubt they are able to recognize anyone behind that hugeass camera lens so stop+ pic.twitter.com/KmpJctw5Bh

— ᴮᴱann⁷∞ JIN DAY SOON 👧🏻🎀🍎 (@SmeraldoWithLuv) November 30, 2021

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

Other than handphones, 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.

hybe can suck it if ima pay $ 500+ for a ticket and can’t flim w my phone? SIKE

— BTS ARTIST OF THE YEAR⁷ (@btstrilogys) December 1, 2021

not sure how you’re gonna ask people not to use their mobile phones to record shaky non-HD pictures and videos of a concert they paid for. what gives, hybe?

— 샨⁷ jin i’m yours (@alittledewdrop) December 1, 2021

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.

Alright BigHit…. Saying no to fans capturing memories on their phones is really going a bit too far. Better you say don’t post them or that you’ll take them down. How can fans not record sections of the concert that they paid for? https://t.co/I4RikSAGiJ

— 🧈DesertIvory⁷ (@DesertIvory) December 1, 2021

It’s a concert man??? People take videos to keep them as a memory. If u gonna stream day 3 and 4 for other army FOR MOMEY atleast let others have memories in their phone like tf? forbid cameras from fansites yeah but PHONES?

— 제이💛 (@dionysusvrrs) December 1, 2021

Hybe’s gotten a little too comfortable with armys.

I understand with fansites and their cameras and all….but if you’re gonna stop respectful armys from recording on their phones for memories when their funding your company, you need to reevaluate yourselves https://t.co/eSCfGnVxg7

— riif⁷🧸 (@euphoriacult_) December 1, 2021

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.

hybe need to explain cause Korean version is more explained, they were speaking abt soundcheck & fansites not record of phone an ARMY taking vid during concert, we knew abt these rules before,ARMY did livestreamed & never was asked to leave it’s clear they spoke abt fansites & sd

— ᴮᴱikram⁷⟭⟬🪐🌌(zergdouniot7 sworded)SEMI IA (@seoktr) December 1, 2021

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.

Ok guys so someone said that the BigHit Notice is for the the souncheck not for the concert event. It is what said in the Korean version. So the English version is misunderstood..

— ᴮᴱMr. Park지민⁷ 🧈 (@BornInBusan1st) December 1, 2021

Mean the english one is “not correct” it’s made by bighit itself. The korean notice towards fansites and their cameras but the english one is as clear as they wrote.

They don’t want anyone recording specifically during these days so army would BUY the online tickets GET IT?

— 제이💛 (@dionysusvrrs) December 1, 2021

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