The legal feud between IVE member Jang Won Young and the entity known as 'Sojang' advances, with the Seoul Central District Court scheduling the first appeal trial hearing for September 4.
This development comes as part of ongoing litigation initiated by Jang Won Young and her agency, Starship Entertainment, against 'Sojang' since November 2022.
'Sojang' faces allegations of cyber defamation from Jang Won Young and six other celebrities and influencers. The claims revolve around 23 videos uploaded on the platform between October 2021 and June 2023, which purportedly contained false statements and derogatory remarks about the plaintiffs.
Among the allegations were baseless accusations against Jang Won Young, including claims of jealousy and professional sabotage. A probe by prosecutors revealed that 'Sojang' amassed 250 million KRW (181,712 USD) in revenue over two years, part of which was reportedly used to acquire real estate.
Despite facing mounting legal scrutiny, 'Sojang' persisted in its defense, asserting that the uploaded content constituted protected speech. However, investigative efforts unearthed attempts to conceal evidence, further complicating the legal landscape.
In a significant legal victory earlier this year, Jang Won Young secured partial success in her 100 million KRW (72,674 USD) damages lawsuit against 'Sojang'. However, the battle continues as 'Sojang' appeals the decision, signaling a protracted legal struggle ahead.
Starship Entertainment, representing Jang Won Young, emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice and setting a precedent against cyber defamation.
Starship Entertainment reiterated their steadfast stance against settling the dispute outside the courtroom, emphasizing the need for a resolute legal judgment to deter cyber defamation in the future. The ongoing litigation underscores the complexities of navigating cyber law and the challenges posed by online defamation in the digital age.
Meanwhile, IVE Jang Wonyoung's self-written song "Blue Heart" from their latest EP "IVE SWITCH" has sparked speculation that it contains lyrics aimed at YouTuber Sojang.
The song's lyrics, particularly lines like "You will be exposed, red lie// You can't escape it, red line," are interpreted by netizens as referencing a legal battle Jang Wonyoung had with Sojang over spreading fake news.
Jang Wonyoung has explained that the song portrays a strong female image and encourages confidence. Despite the speculation, IVE's comeback with "IVE SWITCH" has been met with positive responses from fans, particularly for their track "HEYA."
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
