K-pop Star IU Sues 180 People, Including Ex-Classmate, Over Online Abuse And Deepfake Content

Korean singer-songwriter IU has taken strong legal action against more than 180 people involved in cyberbullying.

IU’s agency has emphasised the seriousness of these offenses, which they believe meet the criteria for criminal charges.

Source : Instagram/@dlwlrma

Korean singer-songwriter IU, also known as Lee Ji Eun, has taken strong legal action against more than 180 people involved in cyberbullying. The legal proceedings, which began in 2023, are still ongoing, with some cases already reaching the formal court hearing stage, as confirmed by her agency.

Korean singer IU files lawsuits against Over 180 

The charges against the accused include severe harassment, threats, defamation, and the creation and distribution of illegal deepfake content. IU’s agency has emphasised the seriousness of these offenses, which they believe meet the criteria for criminal charges.

Cyberbullying has become a persistent issue for K-pop idols, often manifesting as the darker side of fandom culture. In some cases, online harassment escalates to physical threats against celebrities. On November 11 (KST), EDAM Entertainment, IU’s agency, issued a statement revealing that they had filed complaints against individuals responsible for criminal acts such as threats, defamation, malicious false accusations of plagiarism, death threats, privacy violations, sexual harassment, and the creation of illegal content.

“Our agency, in collaboration with a law firm, has filed complaints against those engaging in these criminal activities,” EDAM said in an official statement, as reported by the Korea Times.

IU cyberbullying scandal

In addition to the 180 lawsuits already filed, more charges are expected. Among the accused is an individual believed to be a former classmate of IU, who continues to harass her despite the ongoing legal proceedings. EDAM stated, "We are actively addressing this issue."

This case, which attracted significant attention in 2023, has resulted in six fines, three mandatory education sentences, and one case with probation. These incidents included unfounded plagiarism allegations in April and May of the previous year.

A particularly troubling case involved the spreading of false rumors, sexual harassment, and death threats against IU. Prosecutors have requested a fine of 3 million won (approximately $2,240) for the individual involved, though they are currently appealing the verdict.

EDAM also disclosed that it has been working with international authorities to track down individuals using foreign IP addresses or residing abroad to avoid legal consequences. One case involved a suspect who accused IU of espionage, claiming she was a spy. However, this investigation has been delayed as the suspect has repeatedly failed to appear for questioning, prompting the case to be referred to prosecution for further action.