Fly to the Sky's Brian Suffers from Malicious Comments and Death Threats: A Call for Stricter Punishments

Brian, a member of the group 'Fly to the Sky,' recently revealed that he has been suffering from malicious comments and death threats, shocking the public with the duration of this harassment. There is a growing call for stricter punishment for such acts against celebrities.

On the 28th, Brian shared on his Instagram story, "I'm going crazy," along with screenshots of direct messages (DMs) from a malicious commenter. User A sent Brian messages filled with personal attacks and insults, such as "Go to America, psycho," "Disappear to North Korea," and "Insect."

Brian disclosed, "This psycho has created so many accounts. These are the ones I've blocked," sharing screenshots of dozens of accounts believed to be created by A.

He stated, "This is just a part of it." In 2018, Brian also expressed his distress, saying, "Can someone help me? This person is harassing not only me but also my friends, relatives, and family. Is there any way to stop this person?"

Even top celebrities who have received immense love from the public are not exempt from suffering due to malicious comments and harassment. IU has consistently filed lawsuits against false rumors. Taeyeon has expressed her distress over malicious comments through her fan community and announced a firm response. Kang Daniel has opened up about his struggles with depression and panic disorder.

Even Kim Yuna, who has elevated South Korea's national prestige by winning medals in figure skating, has been bombarded with malicious comments. Recently, she revealed on her social media that she endured such comments for three years, surprising the public.

According to the National Police Agency, there were 24,252 cases of cyber defamation and insult crimes in 2023, a 75% increase from 16,633 cases in 2019. The number of arrests also steadily increased from 11,632 in 2019 to 20,390 in 2023, highlighting the severity of this social issue.

Some believe that public figures should "endure a certain level of criticism." However, this perception is criticized for giving perpetrators an invisible weapon.

Those who defame others with the intent to slander can be punished under the Information and Communications Network Act for 'cyber defamation.' Additionally, posting content that insults or humiliates others can lead to charges of 'insult.'

We have already lost several stars to malicious commenters, including singer Yuni in 2007, Sulli and Goo Hara in 2019, and actress Kim Sae-ron in February. Their choices left a significant impact on the public and scarred the hearts of fans. This is why the pain of the past must not be repeated.