ENTERTAINMENT
ADOR Takes Legal Action to Protect NewJeans Against Online Harassment
On the 30th of last month, ADOR stated, "Since NewJeans' debut, we have been continuously monitoring and taking legal action against malicious online posts targeting the artists."
The company further explained, "We are constantly collecting evidence of serious rights violations, such as defamation based on nationality and appearance, the spread of false information (fake news), invasion of privacy, and malicious insults on domestic and international online sites and social media channels. We are promptly requesting the removal of such content and pursuing legal procedures simultaneously." They added, "Investigations are ongoing against suspects charged with defamation and the use of obscene communication media. Some non-member users of DC Inside (known as 'floating nicknames') have been identified and transferred to their local police stations."
For overseas platforms like YouTube, ADOR has secured identities through the U.S. courts before proceeding with domestic legal actions. ADOR stated, "We have identified and are taking strong action against a malicious YouTuber who repeatedly produced videos that could cause sexual humiliation to the members. The YouTuber requested a settlement during the civil lawsuit, but we firmly rejected it."
Additionally, "On the 25th of last month, the court ruled in a civil damages lawsuit against the YouTuber that the defendant's actions constituted a serious violation of personal rights. As a result, the defendant was ordered to pay significant damages to each member. We will continue to respond firmly to similar issues in the future, adhering to a zero-tolerance policy." ADOR emphasized, "We have appealed the conditional suspension of indictment with educational conditions given to the YouTuber in the criminal proceedings, believing that heavier punishment is necessary. We will respond strictly until appropriate punishment is meted out."
ADOR is also taking strict action against deepfake crimes. "We are closely cooperating with investigative agencies regarding the production and distribution of false videos targeting the artists. Several suspects who produced and distributed deepfakes via channels like Telegram have received heavy penalties, including imprisonment, confiscation, community service orders, educational orders, probation, and employment restrictions in institutions related to children, adolescents, and the disabled. One suspect, who used Proton Mail, known for its difficulty in tracing, to send deepfake videos, was apprehended after active investigation by the authorities."
Meanwhile, according to the legal community on the 25th of last month, the five members of NewJeans did not submit an appeal to the appellate court, which maintained the decision to prohibit independent activities and advertising contract agreements until midnight the previous day. Thus, the decision to prohibit independent activities was finalized.
During the trial on the 4th of last month, the court asked both parties about their willingness to settle. At that time, ADOR expressed a willingness to settle, while NewJeans stated, "The trust relationship has already broken down irreparably," reaffirming their stance that they cannot return.
Below is the full notice from ADOR
Hello.
This is ADOR.
We would like to inform you about our legal actions to protect the rights of NewJeans.
Since NewJeans' debut, we have been continuously monitoring and taking legal action against malicious online posts targeting the artists.
We are constantly collecting evidence of serious rights violations, such as defamation based on nationality and appearance, the spread of false information (fake news), invasion of privacy, and malicious insults on domestic and international online sites and social media channels. We are promptly requesting the removal of such content and pursuing legal procedures simultaneously. As a result, investigations are ongoing against suspects charged with defamation and the use of obscene communication media. Some non-member users of DC Inside (known as 'floating nicknames') have been identified and transferred to their local police stations.
For overseas platforms like YouTube, we have secured identities through the U.S. courts before proceeding with domestic legal actions. We have identified and are taking strong action against a malicious YouTuber who repeatedly produced videos that could cause sexual humiliation to the members. The YouTuber requested a settlement during the civil lawsuit, but we firmly rejected it. On June 25, 2025, the court ruled in a civil damages lawsuit against the YouTuber that the defendant's actions constituted a serious violation of personal rights. As a result, the defendant was ordered to pay significant damages to each member. We will continue to respond firmly to similar issues in the future, adhering to a zero-tolerance policy. Similarly, we have appealed the conditional suspension of indictment with educational conditions given to the YouTuber in the criminal proceedings, believing that heavier punishment is necessary. We will respond strictly until appropriate punishment is meted out.
We are also taking strict action against deepfake crimes. We are closely cooperating with investigative agencies regarding the production and distribution of false videos targeting the artists. Several suspects who produced and distributed deepfakes via channels like Telegram have received heavy penalties, including imprisonment, confiscation, community service orders, educational orders, probation, and employment restrictions in institutions related to children, adolescents, and the disabled. One suspect, who used Proton Mail, known for its difficulty in tracing, to send deepfake videos, was apprehended after active investigation by the authorities.
Your interest and reports are a great help in our legal actions. We ask for your active reports through the HYBE Artist Rights Violation Report Site regarding artist rights violations.
We are always grateful for your love and dedication, and ADOR will continue to strive to protect the rights of our artists.
Thank you.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr
