Case of YouTuber who maliciously defamed BTS, IVE reflects shift in addressing online attacks

The operator of the YouTube channel "Taldeok Camp," who was sent to trial on charges of defaming singer Kang Daniel, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on June 11, 2024, after being fined 10 million won at a first-instance sentencing hearing. Newsis

By Hankookilbo

• Published Mar 30, 2026 5:04 PM KST

Sojang, YouTuber notorious for defaming K-pop idols, faces criminal punishment

Dubbed as a “cyber wrecker,” the YouTuber behind Sojang, a channel known in Korea as “Taldeok Camp,” has earned millions from videos defaming K-pop idols, including IVE and BTS members.

Delivered in a pretentious tone as though they had been verified by agency officials or other third parties, the Youtuber has made claims ranging from IVE’s Jang Won-young allegedly kicking out a trainee because she did not want to debut with her to accusations of idols displaying bad behavior.

One claim accused Red Velvet’s Irene, Joy and Yeri of being “toxic” toward airline cabin crew. Another mocked K-pop group ATEEZ for providing only 6,500 won worth of omurice to fans who participated in a performance recording.

Park, 37, the YouTuber behind Sojang, drew viewers with edited videos and provocative thumbnails. Her targets included members of young K-pop girl and boy groups such as IVE, Red Velvet, ATEEZ, BTS and aespa, as well as actors and influencers.

The videos she posted often mocked celebrities’ appearances or spread false rumors about plastic surgery and secret romantic relationships supposedly hidden from fans. They also included more overtly abusive insults, such as, “He can’t sing or dance and only became an idol to show off his connections,” and, “She looks like a man dressed up as a woman.”

In some videos, she even floated the false claim that a girl group agency had bulk-bought albums to manipulate sales, which would amount to a criminal act.

More than 200 million won in two years from 23 videos

A prosecution investigation found that Park operated members-only channels and earned 210 million won ($139,000) over two years by uploading 23 videos. At one point, her monthly earnings reached as high as 20 million won.

Tracking Park down initially proved difficult because the YouTube channel was based overseas. However, after Jang and her agency, Starship Entertainment, filed a civil suit in a U.S. court and secured a subpoena requiring the platform to provide user information, Korean authorities were able to identify and locate Park.

In May 2024, prosecutors indicted Park on charges of defamation, obstruction of business and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act.

The court sentenced Park to two years in prison, suspended for three years, and ordered the forfeiture of 210 million won as well as 120 hours of community service.

“Criminal acts committed through information and communications networks spread easily and carry a high risk of inflicting irreversible harm on victims, making strict punishment necessary,” the court said in its ruling.

Park appealed, but the appeal was rejected. In January, Korea's Supreme Court ultimately dismissed her appeal and upheld the original ruling.

In court, Park argued that she had acted in the belief that she was serving the public’s right to know and pleaded for one last chance to make amends and live as a law-abiding member of society. The judges, however, were not persuaded.

The case reflects a broader shift in how the entertainment industry is dealing with malicious online attacks. In the past, celebrities and their agencies were often reluctant to respond to toxic comments and false rumors. Now, however, agencies across the industry are taking a far more aggressive legal approach.

Starship Entertainment, home to IVE, HYBE, which manages BTS, and SM Entertainment have all filed lawsuits against users accused of posting malicious comments or videos, while also pursuing damages claims.

HYBE, in particular, has publicized cases in which users were fined for posting offensive content, and regularly posts updates on fan platforms about the legal action it has taken. SM Entertainment has also been proactive, operating “KWANGYA 119,” an online reporting center aimed at protecting the rights and interests of its artists.

An industry insider said the growing number of celebrities suffering panic disorder and other mental health struggles, sometimes leading them to suspend activities, after being exposed to malicious comments has pushed many agencies to pursue legal action.

Experts: 'The profit model built on fake news must be cut off first'

Cybercrime experts say punishing individuals after the damage is done is an inefficient way to address the “cyber wrecker” problem. They argue that greater responsibility should be placed on platforms instead. As long as provocative videos spreading fake information continue to generate views and advertising revenue, they say, similar crimes are bound to recur.

“Platforms such as YouTube are effectively fostering an environment in which illegal and malicious content can generate profit,” said Yoo Hyun-jae, a professor at the College of Communication at Sogang University. He stressed that meaningful restrictions, such as deleting channels or blocking monetization, are needed to curb such crimes.

Experts also emphasized the need for clear and consistent standards in punishment. It is problematic, they say, when some people are punished while others in similar circumstances are let off.

“What is needed is a clear message that cyber-wrecking behavior that leaves someone a victim will be punished without exception,” Yoo said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.