According to reports on April 29, the Seoul District Court’s 14th Civil Division ruled on April 22 that the controversial YouTube channel Sojang, also known as “Taldeok Camp,” had violated the personal rights of SM artists by creating and uploading videos containing personal attacks and false information about aespa, EXO, and Red Velvet.
The court ordered the operator to pay a total of 170 million KRW in damages. The court ruled that the Sojang channel operator must pay a combined 130 million KRW to the artist plaintiffs, including members of aespa, EXO, and Red Velvet. The court also ordered the operator to pay 40 million KRW to SM Entertainment.
In its ruling, the court stated that the videos directly affected public perception of the artists, leading to damage to their image and brand value. The court also recognized that the artists’ image and public reputation are key assets of SM Entertainment and that the operator’s actions caused real disruption to the company’s business activities.
As a result, the total damages amounted to 170 million KRW. SM previously filed a criminal complaint against the Sojang channel operator in April 2024. The complaint involved allegations of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, as well as insult, related to videos about aespa, EXO, and Red Velvet.
In January 2025, the Incheon District Court sentenced the operator to 2 years in prison, suspended for 3 years. The court also ordered 120 hours of community service and the collection of approximately 211.42 million KRW. Although the operator appealed and later filed a further appeal, the original ruling was finalized.
The court stated that the defendant spread false information about the artists through the Sojang channel and created videos containing personal attacks and contemptuous expressions. It added that the conduct went far beyond simple opinion and seriously violated the artists’ reputation and personal rights.
SM Entertainment said it will continue strong legal action to protect its artists. The agency stated that it will respond firmly to illegal acts, criminal conduct, personal attacks, insults, contemptuous expressions, and the spread of false information by YouTube channels targeting its artists.
Sources: Daum | JTBC
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