This controversy is going viral because it involves a widely popular KakaoTalk emoticon, a beloved Japanese character (Chiikawa), and accusations of corporate double standards from KakaoTalk, a dominant platform in Korea. The perceived inaction by Kakao due to the emoticon's profitability has fueled public anger.
KakaoTalk is the ubiquitous messaging app in South Korea, and its emoticons are a massive part of daily digital communication and culture. Chiikawa, a Japanese character known for its cute and often melancholic adventures, has also gained significant popularity among young Koreans, making any alleged plagiarism a sensitive issue.
A popular KakaoTalk emoticon, 'Subookz Tango' by artist Nam, is currently embroiled in a heated plagiarism controversy, with many Korean netizens pointing out its striking resemblance to Japan's beloved character, Chiikawa. The emoticon, a huge hit among women in their 20s and 30s, has even landed a major official collaboration with Shinhan Card, a prominent Korean financial institution, reportedly raking in significant profits.
What's really got the Korean internet buzzing is the perceived double standard from KakaoTalk. Normally, when plagiarism reports surface for emoticons on the platform, they're swiftly removed. However, despite the widespread accusations and clear visual similarities to Chiikawa, 'Subookz Tango' remains available for purchase. Netizens are speculating that Kakao is 'gritting their teeth' and keeping it up because of its immense popularity and profitability, sparking outrage over intellectual property rights and corporate ethics.