'No settlement, no leniency': Online troll who targeted NCT Dream's Jisung fined W5m in first ruling

An internet user who posted malicious content targeting NCT Dream member Jisung for years has been fined in a first-instance ruling.

SM Entertainment announced the development Monday on its official X account, saying it was providing an update on legal actions taken to protect the rights of its artist Jisung.

The agency said a court had recently handed down a 5 million won ($3,720) fine in the first-instance ruling, finding that the defendant's conduct — which began in 2022 and included posting numerous defamatory and insulting messages and videos about the artist on X and YouTube — constituted violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, as well as the offense of insult.

SM said a sentencing date has been set for the appeal filed by the defendant, and that it would provide further updates as the case proceeds.

The agency added that it had filed complaints against individuals who engaged in conduct causing fear or anxiety to the artist, on charges including violations of the information and communications network law, the Stalking Punishment Act and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

SM also said it had recently filed complaints against a person who wrote 462 malicious posts about the artist online, on charges including violations of the information and communications network law, insult and intimidation, and that an investigation is currently underway.

The agency said it is continuously collecting evidence of false information, defamation, insult, malicious slander and personal attacks occurring across platforms including X, YouTube and Spinspin. "We will respond with a zero-tolerance policy — no settlement, no leniency," it said.

SM warned that it would thoroughly track any further harmful acts committed by those who continue to infringe on the artist's rights even after a legal disposition or ruling has been issued, and pursue additional complaints. "We will hold perpetrators fully accountable through all available legal measures, including criminal punishment, until the harmful conduct has completely ceased," it said.

SM has been stepping up its response to malicious posts targeting its artists. On Oct. 12, the agency said it had retained a US law firm to address defamatory content spreading on overseas platforms. Last month, a defendant who created and distributed deepfake videos of aespa members Karina and Winter was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

SM is accepting reports of illegal activity targeting its artists through its reporting site "Gwangya 119."

Jisung made his debut with NCT Dream in 2016 and has been loved for tracks including "My First and Last," "Hello Future" and "Candy." NCT Dream is set for a comeback on Nov. 9 with their sixth full-length album, "Dream After Dream."