HYBE Shares Updates On Legal Action For Malicious Acts Against Their Artists

The HYBE labels have provided updates on legal measures taken to protect their artists from malicious activities.

On December 29, the labels shared the following updates on the progress of legal proceedings against malicious activities violating the rights of HYBE artists—including BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS is a seven–member South Korean boy group known for their powerful performances, self-produced music, and global impact across pop and hip-hop. , TXT, CORTIS, SEVENTEEN SEVENTEEN K-POP GROUP SEVENTEEN is a self-producing boy group with 13 members, divided into hip-hop, vocal, and performance units, known for intricate choreography and songwriting. , TWS, LE SSERAFIM LE SSERAFIM K-POP GROUP LE SSERAFIM is a five-member girl group known for confident, performance-driven concepts and strong stage presence. , NewJeans NewJeans K-POP GROUP NewJeans is a five-member girl group known for their fresh Y2K-inspired style, smooth vocals, and viral hits. , ENHYPEN ENHYPEN K-POP GROUP ENHYPEN is a seven-member boy group formed through I-LAND, known for powerful performances, storytelling concepts, and global popularity. , ILLIT, BOYNEXTDOOR, and Zico—via each artist’s official Weverse.

BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS is a seven–member South Korean boy group known for their powerful performances, self-produced music, and global impact across pop and hip-hop.

Hello.This is BIGHIT MUSIC.

In this fourth quarter, we have initiated legal action against the authors of malicious posts about our artists, identified through fan reports and our monitoring of domestic online communities (Naver, Daum (Women’s Generation, Jjukbbang Cafe, SoulDresser, etc.), Nate, TheQoo, Dmitory, DC Inside “galleries” (BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS is a seven–member South Korean boy group known for their powerful performances, self-produced music, and global impact across pop and hip-hop. Gallery, Male Celebrities Gallery, Domestic Entertainment Gallery, etc.), Instiz, Ilgan Best, FMKorea, etc.), music sites (Melon, Bugs Music, Genie Music, etc.), and international social media channels (X, Instagram, YouTube, etc.).

We maintain a policy of taking legal action without compromise or leniency against malicious acts, such as defaming or using insulting expressions toward our artists, generating or spreading rumors based on false information, and manipulating or distributing false information using AI. As part of these efforts, we would like to inform you that a fine has been imposed on an individual who posted insulting content about our artists on an online community. We will do our utmost to ensure that criminal punishment is imposed on cases still under investigation.

Meanwhile, there have been repeated incidents of serious violations near artists’ residences, including illegal activities, attempts to approach the residences, and stalking. We report these cases to the police as soon as they are confirmed and actively cooperate by providing the necessary materials for the investigations. The prosecution has requested summary orders for some of these incidents.

Unauthorized visits to an artist’s residence, following them, waiting for or observing them near their residence, filming their residence, and other actions that threaten their privacy and safety, as well as writing defamatory or malicious posts related to their private life or creating or spreading false rumors, are all subject to criminal penalties. In particular, leaving objects near an artist’s residence without permission also constitutes stalking. Such behavior causes severe psychological harm to the artist and is therefore absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances. We will continue to respond to any acts that threaten our artists’ privacy and safety with the highest level of strictness.

We kindly ask for your cooperation in this regard. Ensuring the safety and privacy of artists is a fundamental part of a healthy fan culture. Visiting artists’ private spaces or attempting to film or inspect their residences is not only subject to legal punishment but also causes them deep anxiety and stress. We ask that you show your support through respectful and considerate behavior.

We sincerely thank you for your love and support for BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS is a seven–member South Korean boy group known for their powerful performances, self-produced music, and global impact across pop and hip-hop. .

We will continue to strengthen protective measures and take further initiatives to safeguard our artists.

Thank you.

TXT

Hello.This is BIGHIT MUSIC.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the fans of TXT for their unwavering support.

In order to protect the rights and interests of our artist TXT, we are continuously and firmly taking legal action against malicious slander, the distribution of false information, insults, sexual harassment, and other illegal activities occurring online. These actions are identified through reports from fans as well as our own internal monitoring.

We are monitoring malicious posts and comments targeting our artists, including the distribution of false information, insults, and sexual harassment, posted across online platforms such as domestic communities (Naver, Daum (including Daum Cafes), Nate, Theqoo, DC Inside, Instiz, Ilgan Best, etc.), music streaming sites (Melon, Bugs Music, Genie Music, etc.), and overseas social media channels (X, Instagram, YouTube, etc.). In particular, we have identified malicious posts including sexual harassment related to our artists, posts containing false information or potential invasions of their privacy, posts spreading malicious rumors, posts disparaging the artists’ achievements, and posts containing insulting expressions or false information about the direction of the artists’ activities.

Based on reports from our fans and internal monitoring, we have filed a complaint with the authorities regarding online posts that infringe upon our artists’ rights, and we will actively cooperate with the police investigation.

In addition to the complaint filed regarding malicious posts, we are also actively cooperating with investigations into the improper acquisition and trading of personal information, such as our artists’ flight details. Furthermore, we have identified cases where content similar to those produced with our artists’ efforts has been created and distributed without permission, and we are actively responding to prevent infringement of the rights of our artists and BIGHIT MUSIC. We will continue to do our best to ensure that, including this case, the achievements built upon our artists’ efforts and talents are not undermined or disparaged going forward.

To protect the rights and interests of our artists and support their ongoing activities, we are taking all possible legal measures against illegal acts targeting our artists without any settlement or leniency, and we explicitly state that we will continue to take a strong stance in the future. We are particularly aware of malicious posts that seem to be repeatedly posted by the same individual on certain platforms, and we emphasize that stricter legal measures will be taken against any repeat offenses by the same individual.

Our fans’ interest and reports play a significant role in our efforts to address violations of our artists’ rights. Should you encounter malicious posts related to our artists, the sale of their personal data, invasions of their privacy, or any other unlawful activities, please report them through the “HYBE Artist Rights Violation Report Website (https:// protect.hybecorp.com ).” To ensure that evidence is properly utilized, we recommend that you submit it using a full-screen capture on your PC or a PDF printout, so that the URL, post content, author information, posting date, and capture date can all be verified.

We are always grateful for the affection and dedication shown by our fans of TXT. BIGHIT MUSIC will continue to work to ensure that the rights of our artists are fully protected.

Thank you.

CORTIS

Hello.This is BIGHIT MUSIC.

To ensure the protection of CORTIS’s rights and interests, we are proceeding with legal action against unlawful acts targeting the artist, including the distribution of false information, malicious slander, defamation, insults, and sexual harassment. Starting in 2026, we will publish semiannual updates on the progress of these legal measures.

Should you encounter actions that infringe upon CORTIS’s rights and interests, including the uploading of malicious posts, please report them through the “HYBE Artist Rights Infringement Reporting Site (protect.hybecorp.com)”. When submitting a report, we kindly ask that you include a full PC screenshot or a PDF file clearly showing the URL, username, post content, and date, as this will greatly assist us in pursuing legal procedures.

Through our real-time monitoring efforts and reports received thus far, we have identified serious cases such as the creation and posting of deepfake images of minor members, the distribution of invalid false information regarding the artist’s achievements, violations of personal data, and acts that undermine the character and reputation of the artist and the artist’s family. Furthermore, we have identified instances in which CCTV footage capturing the artist was disclosed to third parties for purposes other than its original intent, and appropriate measures have been taken.

With reports from COER, we will examine evidence collected in real time through comprehensive monitoring of online communities and portals—including DC Inside—as well as social media and music streaming services, and take appropriate legal action where applicable. In particular, individuals subject to criminal complaints will face strict legal consequences, with no settlements or leniency under any circumstances.

Furthermore, as previously outlined in the “CORTIS Fan Etiquette” notice, we take very seriously any conduct that infringes upon the artist’s personal information or privacy, threatens the artist’s safety, or causes harassment. We once again make it clear that we will respond strictly to such actions, regardless of the individual’s nationality.

BIGHIT MUSIC will continue to actively address any actions that infringe upon the rights and interests of our artists, and will make every effort to protect the rights and safety of the members of CORTIS.

Thank you.

SEVENTEEN SEVENTEEN K-POP GROUP SEVENTEEN is a self-producing boy group with 13 members, divided into hip-hop, vocal, and performance units, known for intricate choreography and songwriting.

Hello.This is PLEDIS Entertainment.

We maintain a policy of regular and firm legal action against various malicious posts targeting SEVENTEEN SEVENTEEN K-POP GROUP SEVENTEEN is a self-producing boy group with 13 members, divided into hip-hop, vocal, and performance units, known for intricate choreography and songwriting. , including the spread of false information, insults, and defamation. We would like to provide an update on our progress as of the fourth quarter of 2025.

Case of Defamation via False Statements Forwarded to ProsecutionFollowing an investigation by law enforcement authorities into a suspect who spread false information online claiming the artist had committed illegal acts, the charges of defamation by stating false facts were recognized, and the case has been forwarded to the prosecution. We have actively cooperated by submitting relevant materials and opinions to ensure the strictest measures permitted by law are taken against the suspect, and a disposition from the prosecution is expected soon. We emphasize that the act of spreading false information that damages an artist’s reputation and social standing is a crime that should not be overlooked. Settlement or leniency will not be considered regarding such matters.

Procedure for Identifying Malicious X Accounts

Regarding malicious X accounts that have persistently posted derogatory expressions and false information targeting SEVENTEEN SEVENTEEN K-POP GROUP SEVENTEEN is a self-producing boy group with 13 members, divided into hip-hop, vocal, and performance units, known for intricate choreography and songwriting. members over a long period, a U.S. court granted the Section 1782 application submitted by our company last November. Accordingly, information disclosure procedures (Subpoena) against Google and X will proceed immediately through a U.S. law firm appointed by our company. Based on the identities obtained, we will take all necessary measures to hold the individuals fully accountable under the law. We explicitly state that we will respond firmly and consistently to any illegal activities to protect the rights and interests of our artists.

Response to Unauthorized Leaks of Artist Information

We provide an update regarding cases where confidential information related to the artist’s unreleased albums and performances was leaked through anonymous online forums on multiple occasions. The court has recognized the suspect’s charges of leaking trade secrets, and a fine has been imposed and finalized. Leaking confidential information, such as unreleased content, is a clear criminal act that infringes on trade secrets and causes significant damage to the artist’s creative activities and the company’s business activities. We will continue to respond sternly to information leaks and do our best to fully protect the efforts and achievements of our artists.

Comprehensive Legal Action Against Malicious Posts and Comments

This quarter, we have strengthened real-time monitoring across major domestic communities, music sites, and social media. As a result, we have secured evidence of a large num