IU's Agency Reveals Update On Strong Legal Action Against Malicious Comments

Dec 13, 2022

IU’s agency EDAM Entertainment has warned against people who create malicious posts.

On December 13, EDAM Entertainment posted an official statement on its social media account, saying, “Since last year, we have collected evidence of perpetrators who repeatedly posted malicious posts including obvious false facts, defamation, and personal attacks against IU on a number of anonymous communities including DC Inside and filed a complaint through the law firm Shinwon.”

According to the agency, the perpetrator admitted to all the criminal charges through the investigation, and as a result, they were sentenced to a fine of 3 million won (approximately $2,300) for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation) and insult. The agency also warned that they will continue to take the strongest legal action under a zero-tolerance policy.

Read the full statement below:

Hello. This is EDAM Entertainment.

First of all, thank you to the fans who always show lots of support and love for EDAM Entertainment artists IU, Shin Se Kyung, and WOODZ.

As we have previously announced through several notices, we have regularly been taking legal action against the creators of malicious posts such as personal attacks, insults, defamation, malicious slander, spread of false information, and invasion of privacy.

In this regard, we are collecting and supplementing evidence of malicious posts including from previous cases to prevent any additional damage, conducting self-monitoring, and working with a law firm to devise thorough countermeasures to protect rights and interests.

Since last year, we have collected evidence of perpetrators who repeatedly posted malicious posts including obvious false facts, defamation, and personal attacks against IU on a number of anonymous communities including DC Inside and filed a complaint through the law firm Shinwon.

During this process, the perpetrator repeatedly insulted and behaved maliciously in the same way even though the investigation was ongoing, and we collected all of those posts and submitted additional data to the investigative agency.

The perpetrator admitted to all the criminal charges through the investigation, and as a result, they were sentenced to a fine of 3 million won (approximately $2,300) for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation) and insult. If the same crime occurs again after this ruling, we will continue to take the strongest legal actions under a zero-tolerance policy.

In addition to this, regardless of the timing, we plan to take strict measures to ensure strong legal punishment for those who abuse their anonymity and commit malicious acts against our artists on platforms such as community bulletin boards. We clearly state that there will be no settlement or leniency in this process.

Although it is difficult to disclose the specific process and progress per the request of the investigation agency, we are continuing to take legal action.

The reports and data from fans are of great help in monitoring malicious posts. Although we cannot dare to understand the feelings of the fans who see those indiscriminate criticism and malicious comments toward loved ones, EDAM Entertainment will promise to do our best until the day the malicious comments are eradicated.

Lastly, EDAM Entertainment will make every effort to make all the pretty words in the world reach IU, Shin Se Kyung, WOODZ, and fans. Thank you.