The Seoul Western District Court ordered operator A to pay an additional 5 million won each.
A is currently involved in lawsuits with other artists as well.
On January 23rd, the Seoul Western District Court ruled to increase the damages against the operator A of the YouTube channel '탈덕수용소', who is accused of defaming BTS members V and Jungkook. In the appeals court, the panel overturned parts of the initial ruling where V and Jungkook had lost, ordering A to pay an additional 5 million won each. This now totals 86 million won in damages that A must bear. Meanwhile, A has sparked controversy by spreading false information and malicious rumors about celebrities, and is involved in ongoing lawsuits with various other artists.
This ruling holds significant meaning for BTS V and Jungkook's fans, shedding light on the seriousness of disseminating false information about artists. As a global group with considerable influence, BTS is actively taking legal action to protect the honor of their fandom. This can be viewed as a commitment not only to restoring individual reputations but also to safeguarding the integrity of the fan community.
The court's decision emphasizes the accountability of online content creators, particularly given the rapid dissemination of inaccurate information on platforms. This ruling could serve as an important precedent, contributing to the restoration of trust between fans and artists.
Furthermore, ongoing lawsuits involving other artists such as IVE's Jang Wonyoung and Kang Daniel deserve attention. Such legal actions could create a significant ripple effect across the entertainment industry and may establish precedents for future similar cases.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: DB
