"Fine Anyway" Mockery... Arrest Warrant Issued for 20-Year-Old Man Stalking Actress Baedahae

Using 24 IDs to post malicious comments, repeatedly visiting Mr. Bae
"I didn't know it was a crime... I did it because I liked it," he told the police
After investigation, mocked Mr. Bae, "Would 10 million won settlement be enough?"

Musical actor and singer Bae Da-hae. Photo by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A detention warrant has been requested for a man in his 20s who stalked musical actress and singer Bae Da-hae for two years.

On the 25th, the Iksan Police Station in Jeonbuk announced that they had requested a detention warrant for A (28) on charges including insult, threats, defamation, causing anxiety, and attempted extortion.

According to the police, unemployed A posted hundreds of malicious comments online using 24 different IDs over two years.

While A had been leaving supportive comments for Bae for four years, starting two years ago, the comments contained insults and threats.

Last year, A reportedly followed Bae several times and attempted to make contact.

A is said to have visited musical and theater venues where Bae performed, repeatedly asking, "Can you see me now?" as a form of threat.

He also found out the lodging of Bae’s provincial performance venue and went there to harass her.

Additionally, A contacted Bae, who owns a cat, saying he wanted to gift her a hamster, a type of rodent.

When he received no response, he drew and sent a cartoon depicting Bae’s cat eating the hamster.

During police questioning, A admitted to his crimes but stated, "I didn’t know these actions were crimes. I did it because I liked her." He also showed remorse, saying, "I won’t do it again."

However, the police confirmed that even after a recent summons investigation, A mocked Bae through social networking services (SNS) with comments like, "It will end with a fine," and "Would 10 million won in settlement money be enough?"

Seeing that A continued his crimes during the investigation, the police judged that "there is no sign of remorse and there is a risk of reoffending," and applied for a detention warrant on the 24th.

A police official stated, "Because the victim is a celebrity, it appears she suffered extreme pain for a long time while considering how to respond," and added, "Considering that A repeatedly committed the crimes, posted mocking comments toward the victim even during the investigation, the seriousness of the offenses, and the lack of remorse, we decided to request a detention warrant."

Meanwhile, Bae previously filed a complaint against A with the police and also filed a lawsuit seeking 50 million won in damages.

On the 11th, Bae posted on social networking services (SNS), "There were many times I felt despair, wondering if this pain would end only if I died. I hope no one else suffers from stalking like I did," sharing the news of the complaint.