The court ordered YouTuber A to pay 15 million KRW in damages.
This case raises important issues regarding defamation in the digital age.
HYBE has partially won a lawsuit against a YouTuber who accused their girl group AILET of plagiarism concerning NewJeans' choreography. The Seoul Western District Court ruled in favor of HYBE, ordering the YouTuber, referred to as A, to pay 15 million KRW in damages. This judgment became final as neither party appealed. The court noted that A failed to verify the facts before posting the video, damaging HYBE's reputation. It emphasized that there was no evidence supporting A's claim about AILET plagiarizing NewJeans' choreography. A had posted around 30 videos criticizing HYBE since April 2024, with some achieving over 8 million views. Considering these factors, the court recognized defamation and business disruption, but limited the damages to 15 million KRW rather than the 300 million KRW that HYBE initially sought, taking into account the content of the videos and HYBE's status in the industry.
This case highlights the complex relationship between the entertainment industry and social media. The allegations made by the YouTuber tarnished AILET's reputation and affected HYBE's image. The outcome of this lawsuit underscores the real impact that content creators can have on artists and fandoms, setting a potential standard for similar future cases. As a leading agency, HYBE now has a chance to reclaim their reputation through this ruling. The YouTuber’s 30 critical videos, some racking up over 8 million views, showcase how consumer opinions can influence modern culture. This case serves as a reminder of the necessity for accurate claims and fact verification in the digital age. Moving forward, HYBE must continue to build a positive image for their artists and fandoms should also consider stepping up to defend their artists when necessary.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
