Ministry of Science and ICT Announces Countermeasures on 18th
'NunuTV Season' 2 Opened on 11th, Follow-up Measures
NunuTV's UI and Features Similar... Essentially a Revival
A similar site to 'NunuTV' called 'NunuTV Season 2' has appeared. Previously, the illegal free streaming site 'NunuTV' was shut down on April 14 following blocking efforts led by the Ministry of Science and ICT due to increasing damage to the OTT (Over-The-Top) video service industry. However, with its de facto revival just two months later, strong countermeasures have been initiated to block it at the source. On the 18th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced, "Based on our experience and capabilities in blocking access to 'NunuTV,' we will actively respond to illegal OTT distribution sites such as 'NunuTV Season 2.'"
Free Streaming of 'Hunting Dogs' and Others
The NunuTV Season 2 site can be found with a simple internet search. It is known to have been launched on the 11th. Shortly after its release, it provided streaming of the latest videos including 'Hunting Dogs,' which once ranked first globally in Netflix's TV category. It also offers popular recently concluded dramas such as 'Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim 3' and 'Doctor Cha Jeong-sook.' Not only dramas but also variety shows, current affairs documentaries, foreign dramas, movies, and animations are available to watch for free.
The difference from NunuTV is that the location has changed. NunuTV was operated in Asuncion, Paraguay, and just before its closure, it moved its location to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. NunuTV Season 2 is introduced on its homepage as a 'free OTT service established in Ethiopia.' Although it claims through a notice that it is unrelated to the original NunuTV, the similar UI and functions indicate that it is essentially a revival of 'NunuTV.'
Established in 2021, NunuTV was a site illegally streaming domestic and international OTT content. Despite authorities' efforts to block it, the site continued operating by changing domains and other methods, with estimated damages reaching 5 trillion won. As the Ministry of Science and ICT applied comprehensive pressure by blocking the site daily, the operation was terminated on April 14.
Using AI to Detect Illegal Sites
With NunuTV effectively announcing its resumption of activities, the Ministry of Science and ICT has begun preparing countermeasures. The ministry requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission to promptly determine the illegality and copyright infringement status of the 'NunuTV Season 2' site. Once a decision is made, enhanced blocking measures will be implemented. While only one blocking per day was possible during the original 'NunuTV' response, this time the system will be optimized to allow multiple blocks per day.
Additionally, through an inter-ministerial consultative body to eradicate illegal distribution of K-content, close cooperation will be maintained with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Communications Commission, and the Korea Communications Standards Commission. Currently, responses to illegal sites are mainly manual, which has physical limitations. To overcome these, plans are underway to develop technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically detect new illegal streaming sites. The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, “OTT content is a valuable asset created through the blood and sweat of countless people and is a growth engine responsible for our country's future. Therefore, mature civic awareness to refrain from using such illegal sites is of utmost importance.”
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