SM Entertainment, the agency representing K-pop girl group aespa, has announced plans to take legal action against individuals posting malicious and defamatory content about the group online.
On Tuesday, SM Entertainment announced that they have been collecting evidence of harmful posts and comments about aespa.
They gathered this information from fans' reports and their own monitoring. The company has already sued people for defamation, insults, and making and sharing fake videos.
They also shared that many suspects have been identified and are being investigated, and some cases have already been sent to prosecutors.
In particular, several people who spread fake videos on Telegram were found guilty under a special sexual crimes law and had to pay fines under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
"We will continue to take strong measures and actions against those who post malicious content, videos, and images targeting aespa, regardless of whether they are based domestically or internationally," SM Entertainment wrote in the statement announcing their legal actions.
It was unclear which posts and comments are included in SM Entertainment's legal actions. Their actions came months after the agency had taken similar steps to protect other groups under its management, including RIIZE.
It also comes after aespa members filed a lawsuit against Sojang, a controversial YouTube channel operated by Ms. Park, for spreading false and malicious rumors.
The channel is known for spreading defamatory and slanderous content about groups and K-pop idols. Reports indicate Park had earned about 250 million Korean Won (approximately US$190,000) off her YouTube channel.
Ms. Park was sentenced to two years in prison with a three-year probation on Jan. 15, 2025. She was also fined 210 million KRW (about $143,000) and carried out 120 hours of community service. Prosecutors initially sought to get a four-year sentence and a fine of 21 million KRW ($14,400).
