Statement on BTS V and Jungkook's lawsuit against “Cyber-Wrecker” YouTuber: Trial begins today

What is the BTS members’ lawsuit about?

The members have held the defendants accountable and are demanding 90 million won in damages, equivalent to about $66,100 in the United States.

In June 2024, BIGHIT MUSIC targeted Sojang, who allegedly defamed BTS members V and Jungkook. Through this interaction, it was revealed that the music label had already filed a lawsuit against the YouTuber in 2022, not only for defamation but also for obstruction of business. In 2023, BIGHIT had again filed a civil lawsuit against the defendant, demanding damages for defamation and unlawful acts.

In a statement on June 28, 2024, the music label wrote: “Apart from the authors of malicious posts, we are taking separate legal action against those who violated the artist's privacy. We are pursuing civil and criminal proceedings against so-called 'cyber wreckers', including the YouTube channel (“Sojang”).

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When is the hearing?

The first hearing in the case will be held today, August 23, 2024. The lawsuit against A. Sojang, who runs Taldeok Camp on YouTube, will be heard at 10:10 a.m. in the Seoul Western District Court's Civil Division 12. Deputy Chief Judge Lee Kwan-hyung is expected to hear the case in court today.

According to BIGHIT MUSIC, there is also no connection between Body & Brain and BTS. They have accused Body & Brain of being fictitious and stated that an immediate removal of all BTS-related content associated with the group must be ordered. If such incidents continue in the future, the music label will take legal action against them for illegal use of BTS' intellectual property rights.

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Who is Sojang?

Youtuber Sojang, also known as Park Joo Ah, ran Taldeok Camp. She has reportedly spread rumors and false information about many K-pop idols, including BTS' V and Jungkook. The company BIGHIT has blamed her for the continuous harassment of the artists. However, some previous cases were dismissed by the courts, but the music label persistently pressured the authorities to take strict measures, which it eventually succeeded in doing.

BTS' V previously commented on the issue on Weverse. The singer said, “Oh? I'm going to take legal action. I'll get some money for snacks. You even screwed over my family and friends. Goodbye.”

In 2022, she posted a video on the online platform titled “Promiscuous Private Life of the Nation's Boyfriend, Actor, and Idol.” The video defamed Korean singer Kang Daniel and spread false information. Another such incident involved Jang Won Young, a member of IVE, who later filed a lawsuit against the YouTuber along with her agency Starship Entertainment and won the case. BTS hopes to do the same.

However, it seems that the defendant feels guilty about her actions. In June 2023, she revealed her identity and wrote: “Hi, this is Park Joo Ah, the one who ran Sojang (the YouTube channel).”

She also stated, “When BTS' V said he knew my channel, I acted more like an attention seeker and I apologize for attacking him even more. I apologize to Jang Won Young, who suffered mentally from the videos I made by piecing together videos and photos from the internet and creating false information. I apologize to all the people who suffered mentally from the videos in which I spread false information.” She ended her apology by saying, “I will accept the lawsuits. I am so sorry for the celebrities.”