[Edaily Starin, Reporter KIM HYUNSIK ] Concerns have been raised that a single featuring the hit song "SWIM" by the leading K-pop group BTS is being illegally distributed through Chinese online shopping sites.

Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women’s University, a Korean public relations expert, stated on the 15th, “After receiving tips from overseas ‘ARMY’ (the group’s fanbase) and verifying them, we found that ‘SWIM’ CDs were being sold illegally and openly on TMall.”
“Swim” is the title track of BTS’s fifth studio album, “ARIRANG,” released last March. BTS has produced a separate single CD containing “Swim” and an instrumental version of the song, which is being sold through their official online store.
Professor Seo pointed out the issue of distribution management, stating, “Even if the shopping mall merely provides the platform, exposing products that are being sold illegally is clearly wrong.” He added, “These products are even being sold with social media (SNS) ads running,” calling it “a truly deplorable act.”
Previously, there was controversy over T-shirts and various accessories bearing BTS’s “Arirang” logo being sold illegally on other Chinese online marketplaces, such as Taobao and AliExpress, without authorization.
Professor Seo criticized the situation, saying, “This has to stop now,” and added, “The practice of illegally selling others’ content for profit must be stopped immediately.”
It remains unconfirmed whether the BTS “Swim” CD listed on Temu is a counterfeit or a genuine, resold item. BTS’s agency, Big Hit Music, has not issued a separate statement regarding this matter.