On November 14, entertainment insiders confirmed that the entire season of Dear X, a provocative 19+ melodrama based on a popular Naver webtoon, was being streamed on a notorious illegal website “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 contribution chart during its first weekend (November 7–9), proving its massive popularity. The drama’s explicit themes attracted global curiosity, pushing it to No. 1 on HBO Max’s TV Show charts in seven countries/regions including Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia. It ranked third on Japan’s Disney+ and the U.S. streaming site Viki, quickly climbing global charts.
But now, the industry is on high alert. The high production costs of original series like Dear X make them extremely vulnerable to financial losses caused by illegal streaming. In recent years, hits like Netflix’s Squid Game 3, Physical: Asia, and Disney+’s Tempest also suffered similar breaches, resulting in significant 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 from piracy across major OTT platforms is reportedly over ₩5 trillion (around $3.8 billion). These sites generate revenue through unauthorized duplication and gambling or gaming advertisements.
Dear X tells the story of Baek Ah-jin, a woman who hides her true nature while clawing her way to the top. Her destructive path intersects with those she has trampled, delivering a dark and suspenseful narrative. The drama’s moody, intense atmosphere and adult themes have fueled massive buzz since its release.
Viewer response has been a mix of outrage and admiration. Comments like “How are producers supposed to survive this?”, “Every time Korean content gains traction, piracy ruins it,” and “Legal viewers are the ones punished” reflect public frustration. But praise for the drama itself also dominates social platforms: “The suspense direction is next-level,” “I expected only shock value from a 19+ drama, but the plot is so dense,” and “The actors are phenomenal, I can’t stop watching.”
Global fans also joined in: “If it’s ranking this high overseas, it’s truly successful,” and “I loved the webtoon, but the drama is even better.” Many claimed, “TVING really hit gold with this one,” while others said, “This show is a must-binge!” with countless users expressing impatience for the next episodes.
As TVING battles the fallout of this serious breach, one thing is clear—Dear X is not only one of the most talked-about dramas of the year but also at the center of a critical turning point in Korea’s fight against digital piracy.
Sources: wikitree