The popular K-pop group NewJeans has won a significant lawsuit against a YouTuber accused of cyber harassment and making inappropriate sexual comments about the members. The court ordered the YouTuber to pay 100 million KRW (around $76,925) in damages. The final ruling was confirmed on July 22, 2025, after the defendant did not file an appeal.
Court Orders YouTuber to Pay Damages for Se*ual Harassment
The Seoul Western District Court ruled in favor of NewJeans on June 25, 2025, stating that the YouTuber, identified as Shin, violated the members’ rights through harmful online behavior. The court ordered Shin to pay:
- 7 million KRW (about $5,385) each to Haerin and Hyein (who were minors at the time).
- 5 million KRW (about $3,850) each to Minji, Hanni, and Danielle.
The higher compensation for Haerin and Hyein reflects the court’s stance on protecting underage victims of online harassment.
“It is clear from experience that a person whose personality rights have been violated by the other party’s sexual expressions suffers mental anguish. The NewJeans members’ personality rights were violated, and they are liable for damages resulting from this.” — Judge Lee
Details of the Cyber Harassment Case
Shin operated two YouTube channels between April and May 2024, where he uploaded over 20 edited videos containing sexualized content. Some of the disturbing actions included:
- Altering lyrics from NewJeans’ song “Cookie” to vulgar terms.
- Changing innocent phrases like “greet brightly” to offensive language.
- Manipulating camera angles to suggest inappropriate acts.
- Posting explicit comments, including one that said, “I want to make her a mother of many children.”
The group’s agency, ADOR, filed a criminal complaint in June 2024 and demanded 20 million KRW per member (totaling 100 million KRW) in damages. NewJeans’ legal team used a U.S. court order to obtain Shin’s identity from Google, following a strategy similar to one used by IVE’s Jang Wonyoung in a previous case.
NewJeans’ Ongoing Legal Dispute with ADOR
While this lawsuit marks a victory for NewJeans, the group is still entangled in a contract dispute with their agency, ADOR. Key developments include:
- In November 2024, NewJeans announced the termination of their contract with ADOR, citing a breakdown of trust.
- ADOR filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the contract and secured an injunction preventing the members from independent activities.
- A court ruling in March 2025 upheld ADOR’s rights, barring NewJeans from performing or signing deals without agency approval.
- The next mediation hearing is scheduled for August 14, 2025.
Legal experts suggest the case could take up to two and a half years to resolve, with potential appeals extending it further.
Impact on the K-pop Industry
This case sets a strong legal precedent against cyber harassment in South Korea, where online trolls often target celebrities anonymously. NewJeans’ victory follows similar wins by other K-pop stars, signaling a shift toward holding harassers accountable.
The ruling also highlights the challenges faced by young idols, particularly minors, who are frequently subjected to inappropriate online behavior. The court’s decision to impose higher penalties for underage victims reinforces efforts to protect young artists.
Also Read: NewJeans Fan Group Team Bunnies Faces Legal Trouble Over Unregistered Fundraising Campaign
Credits: Korea JoongAng Daily, AllKpop, Sisa Journal
