One of Korea’s largest piracy networks has been dismantled following the arrest of its operator, who was responsible for several high-profile illegal streaming websites, including Noonoo, OKTOON, and TVWIKI. The arrest took place on November 9, 2024, under the operation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s Copyright Crime Scientific Investigation Unit.
The move is a significant step in Korea’s ongoing efforts to combat digital piracy. The websites had been responsible for distributing anime, webtoons, and TV shows illegally, attracting millions of users and a staggering number of monthly visits.
Major Korean Piracy Websites Noonoo, OKTOON, and TVWIKI Shut Down After Operator’s Arrest
Before its shutdown, TVWIKI and OKTOON were two of the most popular illegal streaming platforms in Korea, with TVWIKI alone accounting for over 53 million monthly accesses across various domains. The operator’s frequent domain changes—from “tv52.wiki” to “tv58.wiki”—allowed the websites to continue operation despite previous takedown attempts. However, since the operator’s arrest, users attempting to access these sites are now redirected to a government-issued copyright statement, making it clear that these illegal activities have been halted.
TVWIKI had recently uploaded episodes of popular anime, such as Dragon Ball Daima Episode 5, just a day before the arrest. OKTOON, which hosted illegal webtoons, recorded 5.6 million accesses in the last month, showcasing its significant reach in the online piracy world. Noonoo, which had millions of views before shutting down last year, is also under scrutiny for its role in illegal content distribution.
The shutdowns are part of a broader government initiative to address Korea’s piracy problem. In the past, similar efforts have led to the dismantling of other large piracy operations, such as Ajitun, the country’s former largest web novel piracy site. The government has made it clear that there is zero tolerance for piracy, with further legal actions anticipated. Major companies like WEBTOON have also been actively involved in fighting illegal content, recently filing a $700,000 lawsuit to protect their intellectual property.
This crackdown on illegal streaming services is a crucial victory for the entertainment industry, signaling that Korea is committed to curbing piracy and protecting the rights of creators and companies involved in the anime and webtoon industries.
