Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of Adore, who has been in a legal battle with HYBE, has partially won a damages lawsuit against online defamers.
According to the legal community on the 26th, the Seoul Western District Court's Civil Division 3 (Judge Yoo Dong-kyun) ruled that out of the lawsuit filed by former CEO Min against three individuals demanding 3 million won each in damages, only one was acknowledged, and they were ordered to pay 300,000 won. The claims against the other two were dismissed.
Previously, former CEO Min had filed a lawsuit against a total of 11 defamers who left comments on her articles, but later withdrew some claims and continued the lawsuit against only three.
The content of the comment from the defamer who was confirmed for compensation was "In the end, a foul-mouthed punk." The court pointed out that it was "an insulting and contemptuous personal attack," stating it was "an expression of contempt beyond mere opinion."
Regarding the two individuals who wrote comments like "There are such Xs in life" and "I am an X... acknowledged," the court decided to dismiss the claims, stating that "considering the purpose, method, context, and the status of the parties, it is difficult to see it as a violation of personality rights."
In March, former CEO Min also filed for damages against defamers and won partially. At that time, the court ordered the defamers to compensate her between 50,000 to 100,000 won each.
This lawsuit was triggered last April when HYBE claimed that Min's management rights at Adore were being seized. At that time, former CEO Min held two press conferences to strongly refute the claims. Following this, the number of defamers targeting her surged, leading her to take legal action against them.
Meanwhile, former CEO Min is currently engaged in legal disputes with Belift Lab and Source Music. She was dismissed from her position as CEO of Adore in August of last year due to this incident. Recently, Adore appointed Lee Do-kyung as the new CEO.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
