BTS, the global phenomenon and record-breaking K-pop boy band, continues to dominate the music industry despite being on a temporary hiatus due to mandatory military enlistment and individual career pursuits. However, with their immense fame come harmful attacks, such as persistent online harassment, malicious activities, and even incidents of stalking.
On March 31 (KST), BigHit Music, the agency representing BTS, issued an official statement via Weverse, providing an update on their ongoing legal proceedings against those responsible for malicious actions against the group members: Rm, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jiming And Jungkook.
Before their official statement on the group activities, the South Korean police temporarily halted their probe into a 50-year-old Japanese woman accused of sexually harassing BTS member Jin at a free hug fan event in June 2024. The police cited difficulties in contacting the woman, who has been residing abroad for more than two months, as the reason for pausing the probe. The controversy occurred when the woman abruptly kissed Jin's neck, making him visibly uncomfortable and leading to fan outrage.
Amid this controversy, BTS' agency has now released an official report of the legal measures taken for the boy band's safety.
In their latest update, BigHit Music disclosed that they had identified several individuals behind defamatory online posts targeting BTS. The agency reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to pursuing strict legal action, stating: "Some of the defendants have been fined, while others have had their cases forwarded to the prosecution, with investigations ongoing. A few are currently undergoing trials. We remain committed to ensuring that those responsible for malicious posts are held accountable and face appropriate penalties."
A notable development in their legal battle was the identification of a YouTuber who has repeatedly spread harmful content about BTS. The agency specifically named 'Taldeok Camp,' a self-proclaimed 'cyber wrecker,' as a key culprit.
They revealed that legal action had already been taken against this individual: "The first-instance court has ruled that āTaldeok Camp,ā a so-called ācyber wreckerā YouTuber, is liable for damages amounting to 76 million KRW. āTaldeok Campā has filed an appeal since, and we are actively responding in the appellate process. We remain committed to ensuring that āTaldeok Campā is held fully accountable for the illegal actions committed against our artists."
Additionally, the agency addressed a serious stalking case from the previous year, highlighting its proactive approach to safeguarding the group. They detailed the swift legal action taken in response: "The perpetrator was arrested in flagrante delicto, subsequently detained, and prosecuted. Earlier this year, the court sentenced the perpetrator to a fine of 10 million KRW. We will continue to take a firm stance against any actions that threaten the safety of our artists, with no leniency extended to the offenders."
BigHit Music also repeated its ongoing efforts to monitor and combat online harassment against the boy band. They confirmed that in the past quarter alone, they have systematically gathered evidence of defamatory posts on various online platforms, both domestic and international, and have officially filed reports with law enforcement. They emphasised their zero-tolerance policy toward damaging and slanderous content, stating that individuals found guilty of such offences will face strict legal consequences.
As part of their continued efforts, BigHit Music urged BTS's dedicated fanbase, ARMY, to actively participate in protecting the artists by reporting harmful activities. They provided clear instructions for submitting reports, reinforcing the importance of community caution in maintaining a safe environment for BTS. "We deeply appreciate your unwavering love and support for BTS. BIGHIT MUSIC will continue to ensure that the rights of our artists are fully protected," the agency concluded.
However, the agency didn't speak on the ongoing Jin kiss case.
