Choi Si Won has won a US court’s approval to obtain identifying information on anonymous users accused of posting malicious comments about him online, marking a major step in his ongoing legal battle.
The US District Court for the Northern District of California reportedly granted Choi’s request for a preliminary hearing on July 2, local time, AllKPop reported.
The order applies to 10 anonymous users on platforms including X and YouTube.
The decision allows Choi’s legal team to request personal details such as names, dates of birth and addresses linked to the accounts. The information is expected to support a civil damages lawsuit already filed in South Korea over allegations of defamation and online insults.
Discovery is a legal process used in the United States that allows parties to gather evidence before a trial begins. Because the social media companies involved are based in the United States, Choi’s lawyers turned to the American court system to access account information linked to the anonymous users.
The court reportedly agreed that the request was limited to the minimum amount of information needed to identify users. The judge also found no evidence that the account holders were American citizens or residents, noting that the comments were written in Korean and targeted a South Korean public figure.
Choi Si won the lawsuit
The controversy began after Choi shared several Chinese idioms and a Bible verse on social media following former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s first criminal verdict.
According to Pannatic, one phrase translated to “Those who commit injustice will inevitably perish,” while another described the collapse “like crumbling earth and shattered roof tiles.”
Many online users interpreted the posts as political statements, which quickly sparked heated reactions.
Choi soon became the target of harsh criticism and personal attacks on social media platforms. Some comments criticized his political views, while others targeted his religion, appearance and career.
In May, Choi filed a civil lawsuit against 10 people in the Seoul Central District Court, seeking damages for defamation and insult. His agency, SM Entertainment, also continued its broader campaign against online harassment against its artists.
Earlier this year, the company said it was taking the spread of false information, harmful rumors and offensive posts “very seriously” and vowed to expand legal action after gathering evidence.
