SM Entertainment warned it will pursue strong legal action against malicious posts, false claims, and harassment targeting aespa’s WINTER.

SM Entertainment will strongly deal with malicious posts against aespa’s WINTER. On the 28th, SM Entertainment, the agency, revealed through its official SNS, “We sternly warn that we will take strong legal measures against the malicious posts that are continuously being spread targeting our artist aespa’s WINTER.” According to SM Entertainment, currently on X, Instagram, YouTube, and various online communities, posts and content that correspond to the spreading of false facts, defamation, insults, slander and personal attacks, and sexual harassment toward WINTER are continuously being posted. In response, the agency plans to gradually proceed with legal procedures such as filing complaints after review by a law firm. In particular, it stated a policy of responding without exception not only to specific platforms but also to illegal acts carried out on anonymous bulletin boards and SNS. It revealed that, regardless of whether inside or outside South Korea, it plans to secure materials necessary to identify the route of creation and spread of the posts, as well as the creator, and request an investigation from the competent investigative agency. It also made clear a hard-line response policy. SM Entertainment said, “For perpetrators who are caught, we will not take any lenient measures or settlements, and we will hold them strongly legally responsible based on the principle of zero tolerance,” and warned not to participate in criminal acts. It explained that through the fan reporting platform “KWANGYA 119” and its own monitoring, it is continuously collecting and securing materials regarding posts and content that infringe on the rights and interests of its artists. Finally, SM Entertainment emphasized, “We will continue to strengthen legal responses to malicious posts in order to protect the rights and interests of our artists in the future.” ・aespa’s WINTER sings! “Speed of Summer” released today… special clip also unveiled ・aespa’s WINTER shows autumn/winter coordination in fashion magazine “COSMOPOLITAN”! Unexpected personality also revealed [Full official comment from SM Entertainment] Hello, this is SM Entertainment. We sternly warn that we will take strong legal measures against the malicious posts that are continuously being spread targeting our artist aespa’s WINTER. Currently, on various platforms such as X, Instagram, YouTube, TheQoo, Instiz, DC Inside, Women’s Generation, and Nate Pan, illegal posts and content such as the spreading of false facts, defamation, insults, slander and personal attacks, and sexual harassment toward the artist are continuously being posted. In response, after careful review by a law firm, our company plans to gradually proceed with legal procedures such as filing complaints. Also, in addition to the platforms mentioned above, our company will respond without exception to illegal acts carried out on anonymous bulletin boards and SNS, and after securing materials necessary to identify the route of creation and spread of the posts, as well as the creator, regardless of whether inside or outside South Korea, we plan to request an investigation from the competent investigative agency. We once again emphasize that for perpetrators who are caught, there will be no lenient measures or settlements, and they will be held strongly legally responsible based on the principle of zero tolerance, so we ask that you be especially careful not to participate in criminal acts. Through fan reports via “KWANGYA 119” and our own monitoring, we are continuously collecting and securing materials regarding all posts and content that infringe on the rights and interests of the artist, and we will continue to strengthen legal responses to malicious posts in order to protect the rights and interests of our artists. Thank you. [Full official comment from SM Entertainment] Hello, this is SM Entertainment. We sternly warn that we will take strong legal measures against the malicious posts that are continuously being spread targeting our artist aespa’s WINTER. Currently, on various platforms such as X, Instagram, YouTube, TheQoo, Instiz, DC Inside, Women’s Generation, and Nate Pan, illegal posts and content such as the spreading of false facts, defamation, insults, slander and personal attacks, and sexual harassment toward the artist are continuously being posted. In response, after careful review by a law firm, our company plans to gradually proceed with legal procedures such as filing complaints. Also, in addition to the platforms mentioned above, our company will respond without exception to illegal acts carried out on anonymous bulletin boards and SNS, and after securing materials necessary to identify the route of creation and spread of the posts, as well as the creator, regardless of whether inside or outside South Korea, we plan to request an investigation from the competent investigative agency. We once again emphasize that for perpetrators who are caught, there will be no lenient measures or settlements, and they will be held strongly legally responsible based on the principle of zero tolerance, so we ask that you be especially careful not to participate in criminal acts. Through fan reports via “KWANGYA 119” and our own monitoring, we are continuously collecting and securing materials regarding all posts and content that infringe on the rights and interests of the artist, and we will continue to strengthen legal responses to malicious posts in order to protect the rights and interests of our artists. Thank you.