They have secured information about the trolls through U.S. courts for their lawsuits.
This case highlights their commitment to protecting K-pop artists active abroad.
HYBE and its label BELIFT Lab are set to take legal measures against overseas trolls spreading false information about their groups ENHYPEN and I-LAND. As of January 8, sources from the entertainment industry revealed that the two companies have obtained information about an anonymous account, which has posted around 3,000 defamatory posts since March on X (formerly Twitter). These posts include baseless claims such as coercing artists to attend political events, illegally gathering communications from former CEO Min Hee-jin, and asserting inappropriate relationships between HYBE and judges. Last August, HYBE initiated a civil lawsuit in Korea but faced difficulties identifying the responsible parties.
Following this, they pursued a discovery procedure in a Californian court, allowing them to secure the troll's IP address, traced back to Argentina. HYBE has completed a request for evidence preservation in Argentina, and has also filed a preliminary evidence request against the troll. This indicates that HYBE and BELIFT Lab intend to pursue ongoing civil and criminal actions locally.
The legal actions taken by HYBE and BELIFT Lab highlight the damaging effects of online trolling on artists and their fan communities. This initiative reflects their commitment to protecting their artists' reputation and tackling false narratives that could undermine their credibility. Given the increasing vulnerability of K-pop artists, who often have extensive global fan bases, these legal measures can serve as a substantial warning to potential detractors and send a strong signal within the industry.
Additionally, this response to overseas trolls illustrates a significant challenge faced by the Korean entertainment sector in the international arena. By leveraging legal systems beyond their domestic courts, HYBE demonstrates its commitment to acting as a responsible global enterprise. Such an approach could set a precedent for future legal strategies and contribute to the industry's evolution.
Ultimately, this situation highlights the necessity of addressing the unique challenges facing the K-pop industry as it expands globally. In an era where social media influence continues to grow, fostering and maintaining trust between artists and fans becomes increasingly critical.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: HYBE
