JYP Issues Response After Former Classmate Accusing ITZY's Lia Of School Bullying Is Cleared Of Defamation Charges

ITZY’s Lia’s middle school classmate, who stated that she was a victim of school violence perpetrated by Lia, was cleared of defamation charges.

In February, the alleged victim (henceforth referred to as “A”) uploaded a post titled, “Victim of school violence perpetrated by famous female idol born in 2000.” A wrote that she was middle school classmates with the perpetrator who borrowed money without returning it, spoke badly of her to other students, and made A and other classmates outcasts for no reason.

When the post was uploaded, JYP Entertainment stated they had already sued A for defamation the year before and that investigations were ongoing.

On June 13, Incheon Yeonsu Police Station revealed that A was cleared of her defamation charges. After investigating A, the police decided that the post was an expression of the things A experienced, rather than an attempt to slander Lia, and that there was not enough evidence to prove that claims in the post were false.

A source from the police stated, “Overall, considering the circumstances surrounding how A uploaded the post on an online community as well as the contents of the post, it was judged that the suspicions of defamation were not valid.”

In a call with Yonhap News, A commented, “I still have a hard time mentally when I think about those days. I am hoping for a genuine apology.”

In response to the news, JYP Entertainment stated, “We have seen the outcome through press reports and are figuring out the progress of the situation. However, it is difficult to accept the outcome as is. We will decide our response once we have figured out the progress more thoroughly.”

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