Starship Entertainment, the agency of IVE member Jang Wonyoung, issued a statement after the supreme court upheld the original judgment in the lawsuit it filed against A, the operator of the YouTube channel Taldeok Prison Camp.
On the 29th the Supreme Court, 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Kwon Young-joon) affirmed the lower court's sentence of two years in prison with a three-year suspended sentence for A, who was prosecuted on charges including defamation and insult under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. The order to pay 210 million won in fines and 120 hours of community service was also upheld.
Earlier, A was indicted on charges of defamation for uploading 23 videos between October 2021 and June 2023 to the YouTube channel Taldeok Prison Camp, which he operated, that defamed seven celebrities and influencers.
Regarding this ruling, Starship Entertainment said on the 30th that the company had pursued civil and criminal legal action over the channel operator's spreading false information, malicious defamation and acts of defamation targeting its artists, and that on Jan. 29, 2026 the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling in the case.
The agency explained that the lower court judged that even when unverified content is packaged as speculation or the raising of suspicions, if it leads people to perceive it as fact in the overall context it can constitute spreading false information, and that celebrities should also be sufficiently protected in their honor and personal rights. The Supreme Court, through this ruling, found no legal error in that judgment and affirmed it as is.
It added that Starship Entertainment places the protection of its artists' rights and interests as its highest priority and will continue to take strong legal action without leniency or settlement against any illegal acts such as spreading false information, defamation, infringement of personal rights and other offenses targeting its artists.
It said it will also strictly take all legal measures available under relevant laws, including criminal complaints, against so-called "cyber rekka" acts that use anonymity to spread fake news or cause cyberbullying through related videos and shorts content, and that it will continue monitoring and legal measures to prevent similar harm from recurring.
Lastly, it expressed sincere and deep gratitude to everyone who provided tip materials and unwavering support in protecting the artists' rights and interests during the course of this matter, thanked fans for always cherishing and supporting the artists, and said it will continue to do its best to foster a healthy online culture.
The following is the agency's full statement.
Hello.
This is Starship Entertainment.
The company has pursued civil and criminal legal action regarding the YouTube channel Taldeok Prison Camp operator's spreading false information, malicious defamation and acts of defamation targeting its artists.
In this regard, on Jan. 29, 2026 the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling in the case.
The lower court judged that even when unverified content is packaged as speculation or the raising of suspicions, if it leads people to perceive it as fact in the overall context it can constitute spreading false information, and that celebrities should also be sufficiently protected in their honor and personal rights. The Supreme Court, through this ruling, found no legal error in that judgment and affirmed it as is.
Starship Entertainment places the protection of its artists' rights and interests as its highest priority and will continue to take strong legal action without leniency or settlement against any illegal acts such as spreading false information, defamation and infringement of personal rights targeting its artists.
In particular, the company said it will strictly take all legal measures available under relevant laws, including criminal complaints, against so-called "cyber rekka" acts that use anonymity to spread fake news or cause cyberbullying through related videos and shorts content.
It also said it will continue monitoring and legal measures to prevent similar harm from recurring.
In addition, the company expressed sincere and deep gratitude to everyone who provided tip materials and unwavering support in protecting the artists' rights and interests during the course of this matter, thanked fans for always cherishing and supporting the artists, and said it will continue to do its best to foster a healthy online culture.<
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]