STARSHIP Entertainment emphasizes legal action against malicious posts targeting IVE, ensuring artist protection through monitoring and reporting.

STARSHIP Entertainment, the agency of IVE, has once again emphasized its strong response to protect its artists and has released the progress regarding malicious posts and comments. Yesterday (26th), STARSHIP Entertainment stated through an official comment that they are proceeding with necessary legal actions against malicious slander, defamation, sexual harassment, personal attacks, insults, and privacy violations targeting IVE members without exception. In particular, they highlighted their firm stance by mentioning 99 accounts that operated across multiple online communities. The agency explained that as a result of carefully examining the materials collected through reports from fans and constant monitoring, they are advancing investigations and related procedures regarding some malicious posts and accounts related to IVE. They also stated that they are continuously monitoring various social media platforms for all artists under their management, not just IVE, and that they plan to continue civil and criminal responses to confirmed malicious posts. They warned that regardless of whether posts are deleted, accounts are made private, IDs are changed, or memberships are canceled, the secured materials will be submitted as evidence in criminal proceedings. They emphasized that they will continue to take firm legal action to protect the rights and personalities of their artists under the principle of zero tolerance. STARSHIP's response has garnered more attention following the 'Taldok (De-otaku) Detention Center' incident on YouTube. The agency has tracked down the identity of Mr. A, the operator of the 'Taldok Detention Center,' who had been using overseas servers to evade the legal framework in South Korea since the legal actions began in 2022, achieving results by bringing him to court. In a criminal trial, the Incheon District Court sentenced the operator to two years in prison with a three-year probation last January for defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act. Additionally, a fine of 210 million won (approximately 21 million yen) and 120 hours of community service were imposed. Although appeals and further appeals followed, the Supreme Court finalized the original ruling on January 29 this year. Civil liabilities also continued. In a damages lawsuit filed by member Wonyoung, a ruling was confirmed ordering the operator to pay 50 million won (approximately 5 million yen) in compensation, and in a separate lawsuit filed by STARSHIP Entertainment, a ruling for 50 million won in compensation was also issued in the first instance. The relevant case is currently in the appeal stage, with forced mediation procedures underway. To date, the total amount of criminal fines, civil compensation rulings, and mediation amounts combined has reached approximately 600 million won (approximately 60 million yen). Some civil cases require further confirmation of finalization, but as a result, the level exceeds the revenue earned by the operator through YouTube channel activities. - “YouTuber who defamed IVE's Wonyoung, Supreme Court dismisses appeal… 2 years in prison, 3 years probation ruling finalized - Warning from the agency regarding malicious posts and rights violations: “Substantial evidence secured… complaint filed” [Full Comment from STARSHIP Entertainment] Hello. This is STARSHIP Entertainment. We are proceeding with necessary legal actions against malicious slander targeting IVE members, including the spread of false facts, defamation, sexual harassment, personal attacks, insults, and privacy violations. Such acts are illegal and unacceptable under any pretext, and we will respond strictly after fact-checking and legal review. As a result of carefully examining the materials collected through reports from fans and constant monitoring, we are advancing investigations and related procedures regarding some malicious posts and accounts related to IVE. (Account names are partially masked) DC Inside: 과속라 (Kwasokra), Ido*, 소극왕웨 (Sogukwangwe) and 65 others X (formerly Twitter): Haju_it****, Hajako****** and 14 others YouTube: Coldanaly*******-2 and 5 others Facebook: Nan P, Whatever******aser and 2 others NAVER Blog: 루미나*코 (Rumina*) and 3 others Instagram: Greenam*** and 4 others We are continuously monitoring various social media platforms for all artists under our management, and we plan to continue civil and criminal responses to confirmed malicious posts after legal review. Regardless of whether posts are deleted, accounts are made private, IDs are changed, or memberships are canceled, the secured materials will be submitted as evidence in criminal proceedings. We will continue to take firm legal action to protect the rights and personalities of our artists under the principle of zero tolerance. Reports from fans are a great help in protecting artists. If you have any evidence of malicious posts or related information, please report it to the email address below. The submitted materials will be communicated to investigative agencies after legal review, and the contents of the reports will be processed confidentially. Reporting email address: [email protected] Thank you.