SM Entertainment Wins Lawsuit Against Sojang For Defamation Of aespa, EXO And Red Velvet
The operator of the YouTube channel Sojang, who produced and uploaded videos containing false information with the intent to defame groups such as aespa, EXO, and Red Velvet, has been ordered to pay a total of 170 million won [$114,139] in damages, according to SM Entertainment.
According to SM, on the 22nd of April, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 14 determined that the channel operator infringed on personality rights by producing and posting videos containing personal attacks against aespa, EXO, and Red Velvet, and ordered them to pay 130 million won in damages.
In addition, the court stated, “The videos produced and posted by the defendant directly influenced public perception of the plaintiff singers, leading to a decline in their image and brand value. Since the image and external reputation of the plaintiff singers are core assets of the plaintiff company, the defendant’s actions appear to have caused substantial disruption to the company’s business operations and activities,” and ordered the operator to pay an additional 40 million won to SM as well. As a result, the total damages awarded amount to 170 million won.
Previously, in April 2024, SM filed a complaint against the channel operator on charges including defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act in relation to aespa, EXO, and Red Velvet. As a result, on January 15, 2025, the operator was sentenced at the Incheon District Court to 2 years in prison with 3 years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and a forfeiture of approximately 211.42 million won. Although appeals and further appeals were filed afterward, the original ruling was upheld.
The court pointed out, “The defendant spread false information about the plaintiff singers through the Sojang channel and produced and posted videos containing personal attacks and contemptuous expressions, thereby openly insulting the plaintiff singers. This significantly deviates from the scope of merely expressing opinions and constitutes a serious infringement of the singers’ honor and personality rights.”
SM stated, “We will continue to take strong legal action against not only various illegal and criminal acts but also YouTube channels that repeatedly engage in personal attacks, insulting and contemptuous expressions, and the spread of false information, in order to protect our artists.”
Previously, the Sojang channel operator had also received a suspended prison sentence for producing malicious defamatory videos targeting celebrities, including Jang Wonyoung of IVE, and earning large sums of money.
Source: A
