On November 14, insiders confirmed that the entire season of Dear Xa provocative 19+ melodrama based on the popular Naver webtoon, was being streamed on the infamous illegal site “000”. The site, easily accessible via a simple Google search, allows users to watch premium content for free without any verification process.
Dear X had already made headlines by topping TVING’s paid subscriber submissions chart during its first weekend (7-9 November), demonstrating its enormous popularity. The drama’s explicit themes have attracted global curiosity, pushing it to the top spot on HBO Max’s TV show ratings in seven countries/regions including Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. It ranked third on Japan’s Disney+ and US streaming site Viki, quickly climbing the global charts.
But now the sector is on high alert. The high production costs of the original series are popular Dear X making them extremely vulnerable to financial losses caused by illegal streaming. In recent years, successes like that of Netflix Squid game 3, Physique: Asiaand Disney+ Storm have suffered similar violations, causing extensive damage.
Illegal viewing has become more sophisticated and widespread in Korea, threatening the entire legal streaming ecosystem. A key example is NoonooTV, which had over 10 million monthly active users in 2023, far surpassing Netflix’s 5 million and TVING or Wavve’s 3 million each. The estimated copyright damage resulting from piracy on major OTT platforms reportedly exceeds ₩5 trillion (approximately $3.8 billion). These sites generate revenue through unauthorized duplication and advertising of gambling or games.
Dear X tells the story of Baek Ah-jin, a woman who hides her true nature as she makes her way to the top. His destructive path intersects with those he has trampled upon, offering a dark and suspenseful narrative. The drama’s moody, intense atmosphere and adult themes have fueled enormous buzz since its release.
The response from spectators was a mixture of indignation and admiration. Comments like “How are producers supposed to survive this?”, “Every time Korean content gains traction, piracy ruins it,” AND “Legal spectators are the ones punished” reflect the frustration of the public. But praise for the drama itself also dominates social platforms: “The suspense direction is next level,” “I was just expecting shock value from a 19+ drama, but the plot is so dense,” AND “The actors are phenomenal, I can’t stop watching.”
Fans from all over the world also joined: “If it ranks that high overseas, it’s really successful,” AND “I loved the webtoon, but the drama is even better.” Many have stated, “TVING really hit gold with this one,” while others said, “This show is an unmissable binge!” with countless users expressing eagerness for the next episodes.
As TVING battles the fallout from this serious breach, one thing is clear:Dear X it’s not only one of the most talked-about dramas of the year, but it’s also at the center of a turning point in Korea’s fight against digital piracy.
Sources: wikitree
