Team Bunnies, a self-proclaimed fan group of K-pop sensation NewJeans, has come under legal scrutiny after allegedly violating South Korea’s donation laws during an online fundraiser. The group had raised funds with the aim of taking legal action against malicious commenters targeting the members of NewJeans.
According to the Seoul Jongam Police Station, a representative of Team Bunnies, referred to as “A,” has been forwarded to the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors’ Office for violating the Act on Collection and Use of Donations .
On October 21, 2024, Team Bunnies launched a public fundraiser through social media, asking fans to contribute money for legal action against online defamers. The initiative collected a staggering ₩51.22 million (approximately $39,000) within just 8 hours.
However, under Article 4 of the Donation Act, any fundraising exceeding ₩10 million requires prior registration with the relevant authorities. Failure to comply may result in up to three years in prison or fines of up to ₩30 million.
The issue came to light after a concerned citizen filed a complaint via the national petition platform. The whistleblower contacted the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which confirmed the absence of prior registration, prompting an official investigation.
Team Bunnies has received praise from NewJeans’ creative director Min Hee-jin , who described them as “like Hong Gil-dong” (a Korean folk hero) during a public appearance. However, their actions have also caused division within the fandom.
Some members of Bunnies, NewJeans’ official fanbase, have distanced themselves from Team Bunnies, clarifying to HYBE that the group’s views do not represent the wider community.
Controversy deepened when Team Bunnies participated in a promotional event for Indomie, a brand endorsed by NewJeans. They conducted a survey requiring personal data—name, phone number, and email—raising privacy concerns.
Despite these controversies, Team Bunnies identifies itself as a collective of professionals from diverse fields such as law, media, finance, culture, and arts , united by their support for NewJeans.
Interestingly, Team Bunnies has never made a public appearance. True to Min Hee-jin’s words, they operate discreetly and were even reported to have met with the girl group’s legal representatives after their recent court case loss.
The Team Bunnies case underscores the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with fan-led initiatives, especially in South Korea’s tightly regulated donation environment. As fandom culture increasingly influences the entertainment industry, this incident could set a precedent for similar activities going forward.
Daum
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