On December 29 KST, all six domestic labels affiliated under HYBE Labels released an update on legal measures against actions infringing on the rights of label artists.
The updates included legal measures intended to protect the rights of a total of 10 artists under HYBE Labels, including BTS, Baekho, Hwang Min Hyun, Seventeen, fromis_9, TOMORROW x TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, and &TEAM.
According to the statements released by all labels managing the above artists, a considerable number of malicious commenters abusing the anonymity of online communities to defame and slander artists, spread false rumors, sexually harass artists, etc are facing criminal punishment for their wrongdoings. For example, a suspect found to have repetitively created malicious online posts about fromis_9 was sentenced to a fine of 3 million KRW (~ $2,300 USD).
Malicious commenters who targeted members of LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans, including some members who are minors, were also severely punished for creating online posts containing sexual harassment and/or shaming accusations.
Furthermore, a ‘sasaeng’ who infringed on the rights of the members of BTS and even inflicted damages on the family members of the artists by sending numerous letters and packages to the artists’ homes also received criminal punishment for stalking. Other legal cases of ‘sasaengs’ invading the privacy of the BTS members are currently in progress.
In fact, Big Hit Music assured fans that legal measures against malicious actors infringing on the rights of the BTS members during their time away for mandatory military service will continue, as in the case of one individual who is facing trial for posing as the artists on SNS and leaking unreleased content.
Finally, all labels promised to continue monitoring various SNS and online community portals to protect the rights of their artists and seek punishment without leniency for those found to have acted with malicious intent.
