YouTube channel owner Sojang is famous for posting videos spreading malicious rumors about idols.
The Regional Civil Court of Appeal 2-1 of the West Seoul District Court, presided over by Chief Justice Lee Joon Cheol, partially reversed the first-instance ruling in the lawsuit filed by V, Jungkook and the management company Big Hit Music against the operator of YouTube channel Sojang. Accordingly, the appellate court requested the defendant to pay an additional 5 million won for each member V and Jungkook, raising the total compensation to 86 million won (about 66,000 USD).
Previously, in the first-instance ruling issued in February last year, the court ordered the owner of YouTube channel Sojang to compensate 51 million won for Big Hit Music, 10 million won for V and 15 million won for Jungkook. Although the plaintiffs won a part, the court did not accept the entire compensation claim made by BTS. With the new ruling from the appellate court, the previously rejected claim of V and Jungkook has been reviewed and further approved.
V and Jungkook sued the owner of YouTube channel Sojang in March 2024, demanding a total compensation of about 90 million won. The two artists claimed that this YouTube channel had posted many videos containing false information, distorting privacy and seriously damaging their reputation and personal image. In addition, the plaintiff also accused the YouTube channel owner of copyright infringement when illegally using images and videos owned by the management company for the purpose of viewing and making money.
YouTube channel owner Sojang has been operating since 2021, famous for content revolving around rumors about the private life of K-pop artists. Not only BTS, many other stars have also become victims of this channel, including Jang Wonyoung (IVE). The YouTube channel owner is currently facing a series of civil and criminal lawsuits for spreading false information and defaming others. YouTube channel owner Sojang was later removed from the platform.
Experts believe that this ruling is of great significance, demonstrating the firm stance of the South Korean judicial system in protecting the rights and reputation of artists against fake news and defaming in cyberspace. This is also considered a noteworthy legal precedent for cases related to YouTubers and content creators in the digital age.
