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| BTS / Photo = BigHit Music |
[Sports Today Reporter Jeong Ye-won] BTS’s agency has announced legal measures.
On the 26th, BigHit Music posted an update on its official channels detailing the first-quarter legal actions taken to protect BTS’s rights.
The company said it has been monitoring artist-related posts on domestic forums, music platforms and overseas social media channels, and that it filed complaints based on tips from fans. It reported that courts have recognized charges of insult and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act against multiple defendants, resulting in fines.
BigHit Music added that it has identified patterns of coordinated activity that simultaneously publish similar malicious posts about the artists across multiple platforms and generate waves of negative comments. The agency said it is pursuing necessary civil and criminal procedures and will take the most aggressive legal action available without offering settlements or leniency.
The statement also noted that BigHit Music is maintaining around-the-clock documentation and reporting incidents to police to protect the artists from stalking near their homes. Despite these measures, an individual who continued stalking was recently arrested, indicted on charges of violating the Stalking Punishment Act and trespassing, and is now awaiting trial. The agency asked fans to help ensure their support contributes to a mature fan culture.
Meanwhile, BTS held \”BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG\” around Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st.
▲Below is the full official statement from BigHit Music.
Hello.
This is BigHit Music.
We are providing an update on legal actions related to infringements of BTS’s rights for the first quarter of 2026.
1. Legal actions against organized and repeated malicious posts
We continued to monitor artist-related posts across domestic communities (Theqoo, Instiz, Naver, Daum — including Women’s Generation, Jjokppang, SoulDresser, etc. — Nate, Dmitori, numerous DCInside galleries such as BTS, Male Entertainers, Domestic Entertainment Gallery, and many others), music platforms (Melon, Bugs, Genie, etc.), and overseas social media channels (Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube, etc.). Based on reports from fans, we filed complaints against the authors of malicious posts.
As a result of prior complaints, courts found many defendants guilty of insult and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and imposed fines. Acts that use insulting or defamatory language about the artists or create and spread rumors based on falsehoods violate the artists’ rights.
In particular, we have detected coordinated campaigns that simultaneously post similar malicious content about the artists across multiple communities — including Theqoo — and social media, producing cascades of negative comments. To address this, we have expanded our evidence-collection teams and are using real-time monitoring systems. We are pursuing the civil and criminal procedures required and warn that deleted posts or comments remain subject to punishment. We will seek the strongest legal remedies available without settlements or leniency.
We are actively documenting fabricated rumors and fake news about the artists’ albums, performances and content, as well as excessive malicious posts and organized comment campaigns, and we will hold perpetrators accountable in court. This includes explicit insults or violent language, and also covert attempts to evade punishment through hateful, malicious slander or belittling expressions. Any act that damages the artists’ reputation or causes them mental distress will be included in our complaints and prosecuted vigorously.
Moreover, because malicious posting and coordinated comment flooding persist and certain communities have repeatedly ignored our warnings and requests for cooperation, we are also considering legal action against those communities themselves for allowing repeated harmful activity to continue.
2. Response to invasions of privacy and stalking near artists’ residences
We have implemented active protective measures for the artists, including 24-hour evidence collection and immediate police reporting when stalking or attempts to approach artists’ residences occur. Even a single instance of such behavior can constitute a violation of the Stalking Punishment Act and trespassing under current law, and those offenses are punishable. We are fully cooperating with investigative authorities, including by providing requested materials. An individual who persisted in stalking was recently arrested, indicted on charges under the Stalking Punishment Act and for trespassing, and is now before the courts. We will take every necessary measure to ensure appropriate punishment.
Unlawful visits to artists’ homes, following or surveilling them, waiting near their residences, photographing homes, and creating or spreading defamatory or malicious posts and false rumors about artists’ private lives are crimes that cause deep anxiety and stress. We apply a zero-tolerance policy to criminal acts that invade artists’ privacy. We ask fans to help ensure that their support fosters a mature fan culture.
3. Crackdown on infringement of BTS’s IP (intellectual property)
We are also taking active steps to protect BTS’s intellectual property. Continued online and offline enforcement has brought improvements, including a noticeable reduction in illegal sales through public online distribution channels. We are working with the Korea Intellectual Property Office, the Korea Customs Service, and special investigative police to crack down on illegal suppliers, target areas around concert venues and customs, and monitor online platforms selling counterfeit goods.
Counterfeit items that use the artists’ IP not only infringe the artists’ rights, they also expose fans to financial harm through poor quality, nonrefundable purchases, and shipping fraud. To protect the artists’ IP and prevent fan losses, we ask that you refrain from purchasing counterfeit products.
Fan reports are crucial to our legal efforts to protect the artists’ rights. If you encounter cases that infringe on the artists’ rights, please report them via the HYBE Artist Rights Infringement Reporting Site (https://protect.hybecorp.com).
We sincerely thank everyone who loves BTS.
We will continue our protective measures for the artists and pursue even more proactive actions when necessary.
Thank you.
BigHit Music
[스포츠투데이 정예원 기자 ent@stoo.com]
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