“It’s costing a lot of money…”

In an unexpected move, LE SSERAFIM and Source Music have allegedly sued a Korean netizen for leaving “defamatory and insulting” comments about the group on social media.

The user — who wishes to remain anonymous — recently shared the news on the Korean community site Pann alongside several pictures of mail they received from the police station.

OP revealed that they had developed “really negative feelings” toward the HYBE girl group and started posting mocking comments on YouTube and Instagram. However, it seems like the agency has now hit back, as OP recently received notice that they were being sued for spreading false information and defamation.

The Pann user was shocked upon hearing the news because, according to them, their comments were mild. In the Pann post, they claimed they “just mocked and pointed out their flaws” without making personal attacks. According to OP, their accounts were traced through login records and IP addresses, even though they had used secondary accounts to post harmful comments.

I Got Sued by LE SSERAFIM + I Have More Proof

Just in case some might think I’m lying, I’m posting the mail from the police station stating that I’ve been sued. I really hope you all stay careful too.

I’m actually a fan of another group, but after a certain incident, I started having really negative feelings towards LE SSERAFIM. Since then, I began to dislike them so much that I posted some comments on Instagram and YouTube based on things I saw on Twitter. However, those comments were considered defamatory and insulting, so I got sued for spreading false information and defamation. I got notified around the end of May.

To be honest, I didn’t openly curse at them or anything like that. I saw posts on this forum saying that you wouldn’t get sued for saying things like “You shouldn’t be an idol,” and that’s the kind of level my comments were at. But even that can get you sued. I didn’t insult their parents, make personal attacks, or sexually harass them. I mostly just mocked and pointed out their flaws. Of course, I admit that if they read my comments, they would have felt bad.

If you’re using Instagram and YouTube accounts registered in Korea, you can be traced. I was using secondary accounts, but they tracked me down through login records or IP addresses—I’m not entirely sure how. I didn’t profit from my actions or run a channel; I only left comments, but they still found me. Please, learn from my experience and be cautious. I really wish I could turn back time right now.

— Pann User

OP also shared that another netizen was facing similar penalties from LE SSERAFIM. According to OP, the other netizen had actually started spreading fake rumors about the girl group on Twitter. OP claims that Source Music seems to be set on getting as many people as possible to be investigated so they could “make an example” and “has no intention of settling.”

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A post shared by Sakura Miyawaki (@39saku_chan)

They are also pushing for the harshest punishment possible.

I met a girl from the same area during the investigation. She was the one who first spread fake rumors about LE SSERAFIM on Twitter. From what I heard, she and I will likely face similar penalties. I feel this is a bit unfair. According to my lawyer, LE SSERAFIM’s company has no intention of settling and is pushing for the harshest punishment possible.

I’ve already told my parents and hired a lawyer. They said that since it was my first offense, if I submitted a letter of apology, attended all court hearings, and had my lawyer defend me, I could be acquitted. However, the company seems determined to make an example by getting as many people as possible investigated, regardless of whether they end up being acquitted. Isn’t this a bit of corporate bullying? I know I did wrong, but isn’t it just using money to scare young people?

I’m exhausted now. It’s costing a lot of money, and I feel terribly sorry for my parents. Even though I was the one who made those comments, it’s really frustrating that they won’t show any leniency. I have no one to talk to about this. If you dislike a celebrity, it’s best not to mention them at all. I can’t believe my life got so messed up over a few comments. I’m just so bitter and sad. Thank you for reading this.

— Pann User

OP ends their post with a warning to other community users: “Bad comments will only harm you in the end, so please be careful.“