K-Pop star IU is making headlines for her unwavering stance against online harassment, as she and her agency, EDAM Entertainment, take legal action against more than 180 individuals. The agency announced that it has actively pursued lawsuits over the past two years against those engaged in malicious online behaviour targeting IU, including former classmates and foreign-based perpetrators.
Working with a law firm, EDAM has built a comprehensive case using evidence from online posts, focusing on severe offences that meet the threshold for criminal prosecution. These include threats, defamation (such as baseless plagiarism accusations), death threats, privacy violations, sexual harassment, obscene material distribution, and deepfake creation.
“Legal action is ongoing,” the agency stated, adding that they continue to identify and pursue additional individuals involved. Thus far, six cases have resulted in fines, with other offenders facing mandatory education or probation. Some defendants have even contested the charges, leading to formal trials. Prosecutors have recommended hefty penalties for those with particularly malicious intent, including fines of 3 million KRW for offences like defamation, false information spread, and harassment.
In a startling revelation, the agency disclosed that one persistent harasser is allegedly a former middle school classmate of IU, continuing to target her despite the lawsuits. The agency has also gathered information on foreign-based offenders, seeking cooperation with authorities to pursue legal action across borders.
One of the cases involves a netizen who spread espionage claims against IU and avoided investigative authorities. This suspect has now been handed over to the prosecution. “We have selected only the most serious cases for prosecution,” EDAM stressed, noting they will pursue increased penalties for repeat offenders. The agency’s monitoring efforts span major online communities, including Nate Pann, Namuwiki, DC Inside, and Instiz.
The ongoing harassment has caused significant distress for IU and her fans, leading EDAM to promise a firm response. “We will continue to respond strongly,” the agency stated. A separate damages lawsuit remains pending, with the second hearing scheduled for December 4th at the Seoul Central District Court.
As IU’s case illustrates, the K-Pop industry is beginning to take a harder stance on protecting its stars from cyberbullying, highlighting the legal and emotional toll of online harassment.
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