Lee Ha-neul (real name Lee Geun-bae, 54), a member of the group DJ DOC, who was sent to the prosecutor's office on charges of defamation, has filed a counterclaim against Ju Bit Train (real name Ju Hyun-woo, 46).
On the 20th, Lee Ha-neul's agency Funkytown stated, "We express serious concern regarding the recent actions of certain individuals and groups who have been continuously committing defamation against our artist Lee Ha-neul by spreading false information, and we would like to clarify the circumstances and our official position as follows."
The agency claimed, "Ju Bit Train and his agency's representative Mr. Lee, while working at Funkytown, have continuously engaged in illegal activities including fraud, embezzlement, and interference with business, disrupting the company's operations. Despite their actions, they exploited the 'good faith' of artist Lee Ha-neul, who mediated for a smooth resignation, and presented unacceptable financial resignation conditions to the company, which led to immediate termination by the company."
They added, "In retaliation, Mr. Lee and Ju Bit Train raised procedural issues with the company and filed an unfair dismissal remedy application while fabricating evidence by piecing together various materials to report workplace harassment to the labor department."
The agency further stated, "Unfortunately, during the unfair dismissal remedy review, the unfairness of their actions was not considered at all, and only procedural flaws were judged, leading to the acceptance of the unfair dismissal remedy application. However, fortunately, we were able to secure original and rebuttal materials regarding workplace harassment, which led to the recognition that all evidence submitted by them was fabricated and was dismissed." They emphasized, "Among the behaviors of these individuals, who spare no means to fabricate evidence for their own benefit, the most unforgivable part is that they are still defaming and attacking artist Lee Ha-neul, who tried to protect them until the end, in the same manner."
The agency claimed, "Perhaps fearing that their illegal activities would be exposed if the issues with the company were publicized, they have been continuously harassing artist Lee Ha-neul mentally and socially by filing numerous lawsuits against him since shortly after their resignation." They added, "Artist Lee Ha-neul has actively clarified their behavior through live broadcasts as a public figure, but just like in the workplace harassment case, they continue to file lawsuits by selectively distorting some of his statements, adopting a 'let's catch him on something' approach."
Lee Ha-neul has reportedly received a total of four lawsuits filed by Ju Bit Train and agency representative Mr. Lee at different investigative agencies. The agency clarified, "Regarding the case that Lee Ha-neul defamed Ju Bit Train, a non-indictment decision was made, but it is currently under re-investigation due to the opposing party's objection."
They also stated, "Funkytown has currently filed a lawsuit against Ju Bit Train and his agency representative Mr. Lee for fraud, embezzlement, destruction of electronic records, interference with business, and interference with business by deception, and we plan to file additional lawsuits for defamation through the dissemination of false information, threats, and insults."
Finally, they emphasized, "We believe that this matter is not a simple conflict but an act intended to systematically and habitually damage the artist's reputation, and Funkytown will spare no legal action to protect the rights of our artist." They added, "We will continue to respond firmly to baseless slander and false claims."
Meanwhile, Lee Ha-neul and Ju Bit Train have been engaged in legal disputes since last year, raising issues of unfair dismissal and drug allegations.
Recently, the Mapo Police in Seoul sent Lee Ha-neul to the prosecutor's office on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. In this regard, Ju Bit Train's agency representative Mr. Lee claimed on social media, "Lee Ha-neul created false information labeling me, a non-smoker, as a 'habitual drug offender' to shift his criminal allegations onto others and indiscriminately spread it among industry officials and on social media." He asserted, "Ultimately, all of Lee Ha-neul's criminal allegations have been acknowledged and sent to the prosecutor's office."
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
