Are TikTokers turning into a public nuisance?

As of 2023, the figure of local digital content creators that includes YouTubers and TikTokers has actually crossed 35,000. Such massive creators thus generate a revenue of 4 trillion won, almost equal to 2.8 billion dollars in personal media. This rapid growth of digital creators has blurred lines between the public and private spaces.

Influencers are seen performing their dance routines on crowded avenues, while livestreamers go so far as to stop people on the street in order to conduct random interviews. There comes an issue of, possibly, blocking pedestrian paths, creating noise, infringing one’s portrait right, and possibly other things.

Regardless of the issues, many individuals still support public filming as a right to practice freedom in expression. via The Korea Herald, the survey conducted on 1,336 subjects on Instagram reported that 60% are not okay with the filming of TikTok users in public places while the remaining 40% find them a source of creativity. Some content creators, such as food vloggers, can convert a small establishment into a popular area by just showing it to the audience.

And complaints related to portrait rights have also risen significantly. The Korea Communications Commission’s Online 365 Call Center received 9 inquiries with regard to portrait rights in 2022, which shot up to 34 inquiries in 2023. Advocates state that because public spaces are open for everyone to share ideas and interact with each other, public filming enjoys acceptance. It is part of the ongoing debate about where things are drawn between the rights of individuals and the rights of communities within shared places.

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