Fan-led doll displays removed following complaints from nearby residents
The growing trend of K-pop fans hanging dolls from pedestrian railings near Hybe’s headquarters in Seoul has prompted debate over how far fan activities should extend into public spaces.
Dozens of so-called “rat jerky dolls,” along with letters and other fan-made items that had covered the railings outside the main entrance to the company building for months, were recently removed by sanitation workers from the Yongsan-gu Office following a series of complaints from local residents, news reports said Friday.
The dolls, most of which depict members of BigHit Music’s boy band Cortis, are reportedly not official Hybe merchandise, with the displays organized by fans themselves rather than the company.
Often designed to recreate the looks and stage outfits of idols or popular game characters, the dolls have gained popularity among K-pop fans, who often feature them in short-form videos showing support for their favorite artists.
These viral items are typically made by printing a distorted full-body image onto fabric, inserting a wire frame and sewing it together with cotton stuffing.
Despite the recent cleanup, some fans have continued to hang dolls on the railings, while traces of the earlier displays, including tape and sticker residue, remain.
The Korea Herald reporter who visited Hybe’s headquarters Friday afternoon found several dolls still hanging from the railings, though far fewer than those seen in viral videos.
“It bothers me every time I passed by on my morning run. I keep thinking about who would have to clean up the mess afterward,” a Yongsan-gu resident wrote on Threads.
“If they want to support Hybe artists, why not put the dolls on Hybe’s own building?”
Fans, however, argue that the company’s headquarters has become a popular destination for K-pop fans from around the world and that the displays should be understood as part of the culture surrounding K-pop fandom.
“The dolls aren’t getting in anyone’s way, and some fans even take them down afterward. If they need to be removed at some point, fans can come together and clean up. People hang banners and put up all kinds of things in public spaces, so I don’t see why this has to be such a big deal,” a Cortis fan wrote on X.
Hybe could not be reached for comment as of press time.
