Did SBS’s K-Drama “My Demon” Misuse Kang Daniel’s Trademark?

A short scene in the latest episode of SBS‘s K-Drama My Demon, starring Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung, has sparked some concerns among viewers about the show’s possible trademark infringement.

Song Kang (left) and Kim Yoo Jung (right) for “My Demon” | @SBSNOW/Twitter

In the less-than-a-minute scene set in a traditional Korean medicine clinic, the doctor—Dr. Kim Do Kyun from Heart Signal 2—is seen wearing a coat for “DK Clinic.”

Kim Do Kyun as Dr. Kim Do Kyun on “My Demon” | Netflix

Both the coat and the computer screens in the background show a logo using the letters D and K, alongside a small + sign.

| Netflix | Netflix

The logo, however, is the same as the idol Kang Daniel‘s logo that he has been using since 2019.

Kang Daniel | @daniel.k.here/Instagram

Following the episode, viewers (especially the ones who are Kang Daniel’s fans) have begun questioning whether the logo usage had been agreed upon…

Kang Daniel’s logo over the years. | theqoo

…or if it had been a case of blatant trademark infringement.

A small number of opinions suggested that it’s a common design.

A Google search for “KD DK Logo” pulling up similar designs. | theqoo

Some wanted to believe that it might have been a fan’s work, assuming that there might be a “Danity” in the production team. Some even shared hope that it could be a hint about Kang Daniel’s potential cameo or soundtrack feature.

| theqoo

• “Oh, haha. I thought he might be featuring on a soundtrack or something. This is hilarious.”
• [Deleted Comment]
• “If the logo has been used without permission… I’m disappointed that the production team, as content creators, would have such little regard for the rights.”
• “Huh?!”
• “Is this allowed…?”
• “That’s OK…?”
• “If the logo usage has been authorized, it would’ve been mentioned like the sponsors and partners are mentioned. Was Kang Daniel ever acknowledged in the episode?”
• “Stole the logo but didn’t even think twice about whose it is, huh?”
• “Whoever prepped the scene must have been a Kang Daniel fan.  Haha.”
• “The production team better explain themselves… Did Kang Daniel give them permission?”

But most have called out the production team for not being proactive about trademark and ownership protection when they, themselves, are creators.

| theqoo

• “You can see from the Google variations of ‘DK’ logos that it’s infringement. Haha. The production team basically copy-pasted Kang Daniel’s.”
• “I wonder if there was some sort of an agreement.”
• “Nevermind the design… Even the font is exactly the same.”
• “The same, IMO.”
• “The logo has been trademarked… So we can ask the parties involved to explain. If there wasn’t an agreement made beforehand, then we’ll know that it’s infringement for sure. I’ve never seen an idol logo be used like this in a K-Drama, though. I’m 100% sure it’s been stolen. The design and the font are literally the same. They slapped a small plus sign next to it and called it a day.”
• “I get that the design itself might be common, but in this case… It’s the same, down to the font and the spacing. I’m sure it’s unauthorized usage. Where’s their respect for trademarks?”
• “I feel like it could’ve been a fan’s doing.”
• “Oh, no. These are the same logos for sure. Are there any designers who can verify? To me, they look identical.”
• “WTF? I have no artistic gene in my body and even I can tell that the two are the same. I get that the design could be common… But those two aren’t just similar. They’re identical.”
• “This is blatant trademark infringement. We don’t need to be discussing Kang Daniel’s fans or the logo’s design, whether it’s common or not. Kang Daniel’s the victim here. The fans have all the right to be upset.”
• “It might not be that unique to put the K inside the D. But in this particular case, I think it’s a problem because the two designs are identical down to the font.”
• “It’s literally in the same font.”
• “I wonder if the production team used whatever stock image they found. I doubt that they’d go the distance to make a brand new design for such a short scene that’s not even too relevant to the plot. So they must’ve referenced some sort of a source… Like, they shouldn’t have used whatever they could find, but did.”

Neither the My Demon team nor Kang Daniel has responded to the growing online confusion.