Starship Entertainment has officially released a comprehensive statement following the Supreme Court of South Korea’s final ruling against the notorious operator of the YouTube channel “Sojang.”
On January 29, 2026, the highest court in the land upheld the lower court’s decision, effectively ending a long and arduous legal battle that has been closely watched by the global K-pop community.
The defendant, a woman identified as Park, was found guilty of multiple charges, including defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act.
The Supreme Court finalized a sentence of two years in prison, suspended for three years.
Additionally, the court upheld a significant financial penalty, ordering the forfeiture of 210 million won (approximately $145,780) and 120 hours of mandatory community service.
This ruling marks a watershed moment in the South Korean judiciary’s approach to digital harassment and the accountability of content creators who profit from the destruction of public reputations.
The Pattern of Malice: Targeting Jang Won Young and Others
The legal proceedings revealed a systematic pattern of harassment orchestrated by Park between October 2021 and June 2023. During this period, the “Sojang” channel posted 23 defamatory videos that maliciously targeted seven public figures.
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Among the primary victims was IVE’s Jang Won Young, who became the center of numerous fabricated scandals and personal attacks designed to incite public vitriol.
Starship Entertainment’s statement highlighted a critical legal principle reinforced by this case: the court determined that even when unverified claims are framed as “speculation” or “allegations,” they constitute the dissemination of false information if the context leads the audience to perceive them as facts.
This sets a vital precedent, closing a loophole often exploited by “cyber wreckers” who use vague language to shield themselves from libel laws while intentionally causing maximum reputational damage.
A Zero-Tolerance Policy Against “Cyber Wreckers”
In the wake of the ruling, Starship Entertainment reaffirmed its uncompromising stance on artist protection.
The agency emphasized that the honor and personal rights of celebrities are entitled to the same legal protections as any other citizen.
By pursuing both civil and criminal litigation without the possibility of settlement or leniency, Starship has signaled that the era of “clickbait” defamation without consequence is coming to an end.
The agency specifically targeted the “cyber wrecker” culture—a term used in Korea to describe YouTubers who profit from spreading rumors and fake news.
Starship stated they would continue to leverage every legal tool available to combat those who exploit anonymity to incite cyberbullying.
They committed to thorough, ongoing monitoring of digital platforms to ensure that such malicious activities are identified and prosecuted swiftly, preventing future harm to their artists.
Gratitude to the Fandom and Future Outlook
Starship Entertainment concluded its statement by expressing deep gratitude to the fans.
The agency acknowledged that the successful prosecution of Park was made possible through the unwavering support, tips, and evidence provided by the public and dedicated fans of IVE.
This collective effort was instrumental in building a robust case against the operator of “Sojang.”
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Moving forward, the agency pledged to continue its efforts in fostering a healthy online culture.
This victory is not just a win for Starship and Jang Won Young, but a significant step toward creating a safer digital environment for all entertainers.
By holding malicious creators accountable to the fullest extent of the law, the industry hopes to deter future bad actors and ensure that the focus remains on the talent and hard work of the artists rather than manufactured controversy.
