(Photo courtesy of STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT, PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT, and EDAM ENTERTAINMENT)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] Entertainment agencies are increasingly taking a firm legal stance against malicious online posts and the spread of false information targeting their artists. STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT, the agency representing IVE's JANG WONYOUNG, has reiterated its commitment to pursuing legal action against malicious content. Singer and actress IU has sought assistance from a U.S. court to identify the person behind an anonymous account, while SEVENTEEN has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward malicious ridicule and defamatory remarks targeting members serving in the military.

Malicious online posts can go beyond simple criticism, sometimes leading to the spread of false information and defamation. Recent actions taken on behalf of these three artists highlight a growing determination among entertainment agencies to hold accountable not only those who create harmful content, but also those who maliciously distribute it.

 


JANG WONYOUNG Takes Zero-Tolerance Approach…Deleting Posts Won't Erase the Evidence

STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT, JANG WONYOUNG's agency, is the latest company to announce strong legal measures.

In an official statement released on November 10, STARSHIP emphasized that it is taking firm legal action under a zero-tolerance policy against malicious activities targeting JANG WONYOUNG, including the spread of false information, defamation, sexual harassment, personal attacks, insults, and invasion of privacy.

The agency is working with the law firm LIWU, which previously handled litigation involving the malicious YouTube channel ‘Sojang’ (탈덕수용소), to review materials collected through fan reports and its own monitoring efforts.

STARSHIP has secured evidence of suspected violations of the artist's rights across numerous domestic and international platforms, including YouTube channels ‘IVE_NO_LIVE’ and ‘탈잘알’, as well as DC Inside, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Naver Blog, theqoo, Nate Pann, and Weibo. The agency is currently pursuing the necessary legal procedures for each case.

In particular, STARSHIP stressed that deleting posts, making accounts private, changing usernames, or deactivating accounts would not prevent legal action, as evidence already collected could still be used in legal proceedings.

The company stated that it would pursue all available civil and criminal measures against confirmed unlawful activities.

This is not the first time legal action has been taken over malicious content targeting JANG WONYOUNG.

She previously pursued legal proceedings against the operator of the YouTube channel ‘Sojang’, who had spread false information about her.

The operator was brought to trial on charges including defamation for publishing videos containing false claims about JANG WONYOUNG and other prominent celebrities.

On January 29, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling sentencing the operator to two years in prison, suspended for three years.

The court also upheld an order for the confiscation of 210 million won in criminal proceeds and 120 hours of community service.

STARSHIP's latest announcement demonstrates that the agency is continuing its legal efforts against malicious posts even after its previous court victories.

 


IU Turns to U.S. Court to Identify Anonymous Account Holder

IU has gone as far as seeking assistance from a U.S. court to identify the person behind an anonymous online account.

According to reports published on November 9, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted IU's representatives permission on November 5 (local time) to issue and serve a subpoena on Meta requesting information related to a Threads account.

The legal procedure is intended to identify the individual behind the anonymous account in connection with an ongoing damages lawsuit in South Korea.

IU's representatives allege that the account published at least 52 posts and comments between March and October 2025 containing defamatory claims, including plagiarism allegations and rumors about her Chinese nationality.

On June 25, IU's representatives filed a damages lawsuit for defamation with the Seoul Central District Court.

However, although the account in question had been identified, the actual identity of the person operating it remained unknown, creating difficulties in proceeding with the lawsuit.

To address this, IU's representatives filed an application with the U.S. court on July 15 seeking access to information that could establish the account holder's identity.

Approximately 113 days later, the court granted permission to issue and serve the subpoena.

However, the ruling does not mean that the account holder's identity has already been confirmed.

The authorization allows IU's representatives to request information from Meta, including account registration details that may help identify the individual responsible.

Meta must respond within 21 days of receiving the subpoena and may separately file a motion to quash or modify it.

IU's representatives plan to continue the lawsuit in South Korea once the necessary information has been obtained.
 

SEVENTEEN Takes Firm Stance Against Malicious Attacks on Members Serving in the Military

SEVENTEEN's agency, PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT, also announced its legal response to violations of its artists' rights through an official channel on November 2.

The agency stated that malicious criticism, personal attacks, false information, and defamatory posts targeting SEVENTEEN members had recently been spreading across social media and online communities.

It explained that it was closely monitoring content that distorts facts about individual members or their military service, as well as videos and images maliciously edited to belittle or ridicule them.

PLEDIS took a particularly firm stance against mockery and defamatory remarks directed at members currently serving in the military.

The agency emphasized that such activities are serious matters that not only damage the members' reputations but may also negatively affect their ability to carry out military service in a stable environment.

PLEDIS also stated that it was collecting evidence of malicious posts and comments and would continue pursuing civil and criminal legal action in cases where unlawful conduct is confirmed.

The agency warned that deleting posts or accounts would not necessarily prevent criminal complaints from being filed, as previously collected evidence could still be used.

Furthermore, PLEDIS made it clear that its zero-tolerance policy would apply not only to those who originally create or publish malicious content, but also to individuals who deliberately spread it, with no leniency or settlements offered.
 


Deleted but Not Forgotten… A New Approach to Malicious Online Content

Although the three artists are pursuing different legal approaches, their cases share a common objective: holding individuals accountable for malicious behavior online.

JANG WONYOUNG's agency continues gathering evidence across domestic and international platforms and pursuing legal proceedings.

IU's representatives are seeking to identify an anonymous account holder through legal procedures in the United States.

Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN's agency has expanded the scope of its legal response to include not only the original creators of harmful content but also those who deliberately distribute it.

Anonymity does not eliminate responsibility.

Even when malicious posts are deleted or accounts are changed, records and previously collected evidence may remain.

The cases involving JANG WONYOUNG, IU, and SEVENTEEN demonstrate that online defamation and the spread of false information are not matters that can simply be dismissed.

Entertainment agencies are now moving beyond warnings, using legal procedures both at home and abroad to pursue accountability.

It is a reminder that even words left behind a screen can carry serious consequences, and that individuals must take responsibility for what they say and share online.

 yeonwoo38@hanteo.com