The Seoul Central District Court has ordered the operator of YouTube channel Sojang to pay 170 million won (about $115,000) in total damages to SM Entertainment and its artists for producing and publishing defamatory videos containing false information.
On April 22, 2026, the 14th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court found that the channel’s operator violated the personality rights of SM Entertainment artists aespa, EXO, and Red Velvet by creating videos with false claims and offensive content.
According to Allkpop, the court ordered the direct payment of 130 million won (about $88,000) in damages to the affected artists.
SM Entertainment’s legal battle
The court awarded another 40 million won (about $27,000) to SM Entertainment itself, acknowledging that the defamatory videos caused substantial damage to the company’s business operations. The ruling said the videos directly affected the public perception of artists and led to the decline of their image and brand value, which are key assets of the entertainment company.
SM Entertainment filed a criminal complaint against channel operator Sojang in April 2024 for defamation and insults under the Law on Promotion of Use of Information and Communication Network and Protection of Information, Soompi reported.
In January 2025, the Incheon District Court sentenced the operator, identified as a woman with the surname Park, to two years in prison suspended for three years, as well as the forfeiture of approximately 211 million won and 120 hours of community service. The Supreme Court upheld this criminal ruling in January 2026.
The operator of the Sojang channel posted 23 defamatory videos targeting several celebrities and influencers between October 2021 and June 2023. Prosecutors determined that the operator earned approximately 250 million won from producing and distributing the malicious content.
The operator has faced similar lawsuits from other entertainment companies and artists, including IVE’s Jang Won-young and Kang Daniel, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
