A YouTuber was sentenced to 2 years in prison, suspended for 3 years, for defaming celebrities, including IVE's Wonyoung.
November/11/2025 18:36
The operator A of the YouTube channel "Tardok (De-otaku) Detention Center" was given a suspended prison sentence in the appeal trial for allegedly defaming celebrities like IVE's Wonyoung. The Incheon District Court Criminal Appeal Division 1-3 (Chief Judge Jang Min-seok) today (11th) announced in the appeal trial ruling that A, who was indicted on charges of defamation and insult under the law on the promotion of information and communication networks and information protection, was sentenced to 2 years in prison with a 3-year suspension, the same as the first trial. The court also upheld the original ruling that imposed a fine of 210 million won (about 2.21 million USD) and 120 hours of community service. The appeal court explained the reason for the ruling, stating, "Considering the overall sentencing conditions, it cannot be recognized that the sentence in the first trial is either too heavy or too light." Previously, A was indicted for operating the YouTube channel "Tardok Detention Center" from October 2021 until its closure in June 2023, during which he posted 23 videos defaming seven celebrities, including entertainers and influencers. A is suspected of producing and disseminating false videos claiming, "Wonyoung was jealous and prevented fellow trainees from debuting" and "other celebrities engaged in prostitution or had plastic surgery," and is believed to have earned about 250 million won (about 2.64 million USD) in revenue. The first trial court sentenced A to 2 years in prison with a 3-year suspension in January this year. In response, the prosecution appealed, claiming the sentence was too lenient, while A appealed, stating that the sentence was too harsh and the fine order was unjust, but the result did not change. Meanwhile, Wonyoung is also pursuing a separate civil lawsuit against A. Wonyoung and her agency, STARSHIP Entertainment, have each filed damage compensation lawsuits for around 100 million won (about 1 million USD), and the court ordered A to pay 50 million won (about 500,000 USD) to Wonyoung and 50 million won to STARSHIP Entertainment.
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