SM Entertainment is taking legal action against negative comments directed at its artist, Yoona (Im Yoona), a member of the girl group Girls' Generation and an actress.
On the 10th, SM Entertainment stated, “We would like to inform you about the progress of legal action regarding the infringement of rights against Yoona,” adding, “Through fan reports via KWANGYA 119 and ongoing monitoring, we have confirmed the posting and distribution of false information, malicious slander, and defamation against Yoona, and we have already filed a lawsuit and requested cooperation in the investigation.”
They continued, “We are taking all possible civil and criminal actions against any illegal acts that express the artist's name, initials, nicknames, etc., in a way that evokes the artist, including criminal complaints, and we plan to respond firmly without any leniency or settlement.”
Additionally, SM Entertainment emphasized, “Creating unverified rumors or posting malicious articles/videos is a clear illegal act,” and stated, “We will continue to do our best to protect the rights of our artists.”
Yoona is currently filming the new tvN drama 'The Chef of the Tyrant,' which is set to air in the second half of this year. 'The Chef of the Tyrant' is based on a web novel of the same name and depicts a fantasy survival romance that transcends 500 years, where a type-sleeping French chef meets the worst tyrant of his time. Actor Lee Chae-min will also star alongside Yoona.
Below is the full official statement from SM Entertainment.
Hello.
This is SM Entertainment.
We would like to inform you about the progress of legal action regarding the infringement of rights against our artist Yoona (Im Yoona).
Through fan reports via KWANGYA 119 and ongoing monitoring, we have confirmed the posting and distribution of false information, malicious slander, and defamation against Yoona (Im Yoona), and we have already filed a lawsuit and requested cooperation in the investigation.
We are taking all possible civil and criminal actions against any illegal acts that express the artist's name, initials, nicknames, etc., in a way that evokes the artist, including criminal complaints, and we plan to respond firmly without any leniency or settlement.
Creating unverified rumors or posting malicious articles/videos is a clear illegal act. We ask that you refrain from indiscriminately writing and distributing malicious posts about the artist, and please be cautious not to get involved in unpleasant matters that violate the law.
We will continue to do our best to protect the rights of our artists.
Thank you.
[Kim Mi-ji, Star Today Reporter]
