One-person media is enjoying a heyday in Korea.

The number of domestic digital creators, including YouTubers and TikTokers, exceeded 35,000 in 2023, with the personal media industry‘s total revenue reaching 4 trillion won ($2.8 billion), according to a report by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission released in January.

The rapid growth of digital content creators has blurred the lines between the public and private spheres.

Parks and streets are frequented by influencers filming dance routines and by livestreamers approaching passersby for interviews. Many YouTube channels focused on food and travel feature creators speaking at trendy cafes and restaurants, either for vlogs or live chats.

Such private use of public areas by content creators has sparked concerns about obstructing foot traffic, creating noise and violating portrait rights -- the right to control the use of one's image. Yet, some people accept public filming, valuing it as an exercise of free expression.

The Korea Herald spoke to readers both online and offline to gather their views on the question: “Are TikTokers turning into a public nuisance?”

A survey conducted by The Korea Herald on Instagram revealed that 60 percent of 1,336 respondents were skeptical about TikTokers filming in public, while 40 percent considered them a creative force.

Instagram user @angie_fontaine_ commented, “It’s fun to see but does get annoying when it‘s happening constantly where I walk or drive.“

Echoing this comment, another user @simplyserenity said, “They are just trying to make a living, but I do think they need to be mindful of others.”

On the other hand, supporters argued that content creators have a positive effect on local businesses.

User @andiemelana pointed out, “Food vloggers’ video content can help small businesses turn into trendy spots, attracting more customers.”

Han, a 31-year-old rock fan, confronted two Instagrammers who were sitting in front of her and hosting a live broadcast during the Busan International Rock Festival held in October.

Realizing that her face kept appearing in their livestream, Han asked the pair to change seats. But they ignored her complaint and continued recording without an apology.

“I sat close to them, so it seemed likely that not only my face, but also parts of my conversation with my friend were broadcast,” Han said.

“Livestreamers usually chat with their subscribers in real time. The thought that they might have said something bad about me made me feel so uncomfortable.”

Park, a 24-year-old student and beach lover at Sookmyung Women‘s University, related to Han’s unpleasant experience with the Instagrammers, saying, “I’ve been captured on camera by travel YouTubers several times when I went to a beach in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, last summer to surf.”

“Some content creators take public spaces for granted and neglect the importance of portrait rights.”

The number of inquiries about violations of portrait rights submitted to the Online 365 Call Center operated by the Korea Communications Commission rose from nine cases in 2022 to 34 cases in 2023.

Major cases included individuals filmed walking in the background of YouTube videos, according to a KCC official.

“Even if the YouTubers had no intention of secretly recording me, my face and body were filmed and related videos circulated online. It's basically no different from a hidden camera,” Park argued.

Opponents of content creators filming in public also point to the noise and pedestrian distractions they cause.

“I’ve seen young students filming Instagram reels with the subway platform as a backdrop. Having fun with friends is great, but it goes against public etiquette,” said Noh Ji-eun, a 33-year-old office worker in Seoul.

On the other hand, some people embrace the trend of making one-person broadcast content in public, stressing the original purpose of public spaces -- open forums for people to express ideas and connect with others.

“The reason public spaces are open is that they are available to anyone who wants to express themselves. As long as the act of filming in public areas complies with the law, it has to be respected for the sake of free speech,“ one online user wrote on the social platform X.

For some teens, shooting short videos together in public has become a form of social recreation.

“My daughter loves making Instagram reels with her friends at the playground after school or between lectures at hagwons (private academies)," said Gong, a mother of a 17-year-old girl.

”For students who lack time to play outdoors because of their heavy academic load, it‘s a quick, entertaining way to spend time with friends.“

Meanwhile, from the perspective of content creators, short-form videos filmed in public are adding diversity to the digital media landscape.

“Creators can introduce Korean culture by shooting videos at cultural heritage sites like Gyeongbokgung. Videos showing people with physical disabilities visiting public venues can raise awareness about accessibility,” said Lim, a 24-year-old college student in Seoul who uploads vlogs on her YouTube channel.

“In some cases, diverse voices that traditional media often neglect are better heard when expressed in public.”