K-pop Agencies Take Firm Action Against Malicious Commenters and Stalkers Targeting Artists

Expansion Across the Industry Including HYBE and JYP
Investigations Target Deepfakes and Overseas Platforms
Moving Beyond Passive Practices to International Cooperation

Group Seventeen. Provided by Pledis Entertainment

As the year draws to a close, K-pop agencies have declared a "zero-tolerance policy" and launched an all-out response against malicious comments, stalking, and deepfake crimes targeting their artists. Moving away from the previous practice of passive responses out of concern for image damage, the industry-wide stance is now to hold offenders fully accountable, even mobilizing international joint investigations if necessary.

According to the industry on December 31, major agencies such as HYBE Labels (Big Hit Music, Pledis, Source Music, KOZ), JYP Entertainment, and The Black Label have recently released updates on their legal actions to protect the rights and interests of their artists. These agencies have made it clear that "there will be no settlements or leniency" in their approach.

Agencies are also actively responding to users of overseas server-based platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram, where investigations are particularly challenging.

Source Music, the agency of the group Le Sserafim, revealed a recent case in which a prison sentence was handed down to individuals who created and distributed deepfake videos on Telegram and other platforms, stating that "strong punishment is being imposed on those responsible." The agency emphasized, "Through international cooperation with the police, we will pursue offenders to the end, even if they use overseas platforms."

Pledis Entertainment is also in the process of identifying the operators of X accounts responsible for malicious posts targeting groups Seventeen and TWS, utilizing a U.S. court order for disclosure of information (1782 Application). JYP Entertainment, the agency of Stray Kids, is similarly identifying malicious actors on overseas platforms through both domestic and international courts.

Image to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay

Legal action is also being strengthened against stalking behaviors that go beyond simple slander and threaten the safety of artists.

Big Hit Music, the agency of BTS, stated, "We immediately report serious stalking cases such as loitering near residences, attempted break-ins, and throwing mail to the police," adding that the prosecution has requested summary orders for some of these cases. Pledis has also filed charges against a suspect who repeatedly trespassed at TWS members' event venues and engaged in illegal filming, with the case recently referred to the prosecution.

With agencies taking a more proactive approach to filing complaints, there has been an increase in actual legal penalties for malicious commenters. INB100, the agency of singer Baekhyun, said, "Meaningful legal judgments, such as fines, have been handed down in some of the cases we reported."

KOZ Entertainment, the agency of Zico, reported that "those who spread malicious rumors have been referred to juvenile protection cases and have received fines." In another case, a person who leaked undisclosed information about Seventeen was fined for violating trade secret laws.

In addition, The Black Label, home to artists such as Taeyang and Ros?, and KQ Entertainment, the agency of Ateez, are making every effort to protect their artists by collecting evidence through their own monitoring systems and tips from fans, and submitting complaints to investigative authorities.

A representative from a major agency stated, "As K-pop's global standing has grown, protecting artists has become a core responsibility for agencies. Dedicated response teams are continuously monitoring and filing complaints, and we are actively cooperating with police and international investigations." The representative added, "There will continue to be strong legal precedents showing that crimes relying on anonymity will no longer go unpunished."