[theqoo] AN ACTOR'S AGENCY THREATENING TO SUE A FAN FOR MAKING AN UNOFFICIAL DOLL

bypannchoa August 26, 2026
"Hello, this is Ingnyong.

I am writing to share some unfortunate news with those who purchased the "Ingnyang-i" doll.

I received a notice from Basecamp Company, the agency representing actor Jo Insung, requesting the deletion of posts related to "Ingnyang-i" and the cessation of sales; they warned that if these requests were not met, their legal team would take formal action on the matter.

Immediately upon receiving this notice, I drafted and sent an email to the agency explaining my position.

However, the agency responded by stating that they prohibit the production and sale of unofficial merchandise featuring the actor's likeness, that producing such goods without prior consent constitutes an infringement of portrait rights, and that they were requesting a halt to sales because financial transactions were involved.

While I acknowledged the existence of a fandom culture involving the production and sale of unofficial merchandise, I repeatedly explained that I had not made any financial profit from selling the dolls. Despite this, the agency’s stance remained a repetitive demand to stop sales, leading me to conclude that further dialogue or explanation was no longer possible.

Consequently, at the request of the agency, sales for the third batch of "Ingnyang-i" have been discontinued. We sincerely apologize to everyone who purchased the item during this round.
We have sent an email regarding this matter to all purchasers; please take a moment to check it. Refunds will be processed this week using the account details you provided on Witchform.

We are deeply sorry that, despite your long wait, we are unable to deliver "Ingnyang-i" to you.
There is nothing more to say, we are truly sorry."

"- Hello, this is Basecamp Company.
We are writing regarding the merchandise related to our actor that you are currently selling.
We request the immediate removal of all posts featuring the actor and the immediate suspension of sales. Please be advised that if this request is not fulfilled, our legal team will take action on this matter starting Monday, August 24.
If you have any inquiries, please contact Basecamp Company.

- Hello, is this the official account for Basecamp Company? I would like to send a reply via email, but since the company email address is not listed on the official website, could you please provide it?
I will send my response by email."

"- Hello, this is Basecamp Company.
Our email address is:
[email protected]
Please be advised that we have documented all activities conducted via this account to date, and our legal team will be handling the matter starting Monday.
We request that you delete all related posts and halt any ongoing transactions.
Please note that should a similar situation arise in the future, our legal team will take action without prior notice.

- I am currently drafting an email; please bear with me.
Furthermore, if you intend to request a halt to sales, wouldn't it be a matter of basic professional courtesy to first explain the reason? I question whether it is appropriate to simply notify us that you will proceed through your legal team without providing any explanation for the request."


"Your agency created a Twitter account, which didn't exist before, just to target a doll, then sent a sales-halt notice on a Friday evening via a Twitter DM that doesn't even trigger notifications. When I checked on Saturday evening, I immediately replied to the DM and got the email address. While I was in the middle of drafting my explanation email, you threatened me, saying you’d hand the matter over to the legal team on Monday, just because I hadn't replied to the DM right away. Even after I promptly sent the explanation email and replied to the DM, you didn't check them for hours and went completely silent all weekend without even letting me know when I’d get a response. I felt like I was dying from the stress you put me through all weekend, yet you clearly treat fans like a joke.
@basecampcp2025"

"Naturally, Ingnyang-i wasn't created for financial gain (...^^). The reason the unit cost is higher compared to other dolls is that I produced fewer than the factory's minimum order quantity. Consequently, even if I sell the entire stock, I make absolutely no profit. This is a doll I created simply because I wanted one for myself and wanted to share it with fellow fans......."

"JIS: What is that?

OP: I gave it to you last time!

JIS: Hmm?

OP: The doll!! I gave you the doll last time, right!

JIS: Hmm~~ The kitty doll? 

*Jo Insung doing the kitty-ears pose*"

Even the actor is aware of this doll

original post: here

1. If the copyright holder says not to do it, just don't do it

2. Do they think we're making a fortune or something...? What is this about suing fans? Instead of wasting time on that, they should be properly dealing with the obsessive haters, why are they acting like a****les to the fans?

3. If it's a request to stop sales rather than a lawsuit, then it can't be helped. Just stop

4. It's freaking terrifying how they reach out on a Friday afternoon and threaten legal action starting Monday... By that logic, fansite masters and accounts that post gifs could face legal punishment at any moment, too... It's so scary. I feel like I'd just want to hide away on a private account...

5. ah... I feel bad for the fan...

4. They go easy where they should be tough, and get tough with those who would understand even if they were gentle, so, they're a bully to the weak and a pushover to the strong?

5. Wow, that company is acting like his anti

6. Wow, what a turn off... I would've left the fandom

7. It just goes to show the agency is f*cking terrible at its job, especially in an entertainment industry that relies on fans for its livelihood

8. Working in that doll suit must've been such an exhausting process... It's a shame how the situation was handled

9. On what grounds would you sue over that? It’s not a real person's face or name, is it? Are you really going to pull the "it was based on a real person" card?

10. I don't know if it was the actor's call or not, but both the actor and the agency just came across as petty to me




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