BTS impersonator faces prison sentence “Strong legal action even during military period”

On March 29th, BTS’s agency Big Hit Music stated through the fan platform, “Our company regularly initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of malicious activities related to BTS, including defamation, personal attacks, sexual harassment, the spread of groundless information, and ill-intentioned criticism. We would like to provide an update on these activities. During this quarter, we filed multiple criminal complaints with law enforcement agencies based on evidence related to acts infringing on the rights of the artists, including defamation, submitted by our fans as well as collected through our own monitoring.“

They continued, “Our previous notice mentioned an individual who impersonated a BTS member and leaked unreleased music. The individual who was arrested and indicted under additional criminal charges for this matter expressed the intention to apologize before the verdict was announced. However, we have made it clear that we will not agree to any settlement. As a result, an additional prison sentence has been imposed on top of the existing sentence. We will continue to take strong legal action against blatant criminal acts, such as impersonating members and collecting and leaking undisclosed information, even if it takes time.“

They emphasized, “We are continuing to monitor and collect malicious posts about BTS and the individual members in real time even as all the members are currently fulfilling their military service obligations. We have compiled and included in the criminal complaints all serious insults, ridicule, malicious rumors, and false information directed at the artists. In particular, we are resolutely applying a zero-tolerance policy as we respond to maliciously manipulated defamatory postings about the artists’ military service across all channels, including social media, websites, and online communities.”

Big Hit revealed, “After a lengthy investigation begun in 2022, the authors of numerous slanderous comments and vulgar postings with the intent to ridicule the artists were each indicted on charges of defamation and insult, and were ultimately found guilty by the court and sentenced to fines of up to several million won.” They warned, “Big Hit Music regularly collects information on malicious postings regarding BTS, reports them to the authorities, and takes legal action. We will continue taking legal action without interruption, even while the members are fulfilling their military service. We will continue to adhere to strict measures and our policy of no settlement and no leniency to hold suspects accountable.”

Meanwhile, all BTS members are currently fulfilling their military duties. The eldest member Jin, who enlisted first, is scheduled to be discharged in June.