IVE's Wonyoung Cyber-Attacks Lead to Prison Sentence...Starship Files More Complaints

Starship Entertainment is escalating its legal response to malicious content targeting IVE's Wonyoung, announcing a new round of complaints on the same day it revealed that a defendant in an existing case had received a prison sentence.

The agency said on September 9th that a defendant prosecuted for crimes including the distribution of false manipulated content involving one of its artists had recently been sentenced to imprisonment. Starship, which pursued the case through law firm Kim & Chang, reiterated that it would continue seeking accountability without leniency.

At the same time, the company said it had filed additional complaints concerning content specifically targeting Wonyoung.

According to Starship, it has collected evidence involving certain YouTube channels, so-called "cyber wreckers," online communities and social media users accused of repeatedly spreading false information or maliciously attacking the singer.

The complaints also cover posts that allegedly distort portions of videos or add speculation to portray Wonyoung's personality or attitude negatively. Starship said it is continuing to document cases in which claims are recirculated even after the underlying facts have been clarified, as well as content created through misleading editing.

The agency also warned that anonymity or the use of overseas platforms would not prevent legal action. It said it intends to pursue the procedures necessary to identify those behind anonymous or pseudonymous accounts, regardless of whether the platforms are based in Korea or abroad.

The latest filings extend Starship's increasingly aggressive legal campaign against malicious online content involving Wonyoung, with the recent prison sentence providing a concrete example of the consequences such cases can carry.