HYBE’s lawsuit attempt against netizen fails as prosecution declines charges
HYBE tried to sue a netizen who accused the company of “media manipulation” and compared it to Hamas on a Naver News comment section.
The Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office ruled on July 4 there is insufficient evidence to indict the individual for criminal defamation or insult.
The comments from September 2024 included claims that “HYBE recently acquired a U.S. media manipulation firm” and insults calling HYBE “mentally ill as a group” and comparing Bang Si Hyuk to Hamas.
HYBE argued the netizen defamed them by spreading false info about acquiring The Ascent, a U.S.-based PR firm, and insulted the company “by describing it as mentally ill and comparing it to Hamas, a terrorist organization.”
Prosecutors found the term “manipulation” too subjective to be false and ruled the comments were personal opinions rather than criminal statements.
"The Ascent Group is a PR agency that edits in favor of celebrities, and it is difficult to consider the term ‘manipulation’ as a false statement. It cannot be definitively said that the commenter intended to assert HYBE manipulated the media in the U.S., and even if The Ascent was referred to as a media manipulation firm, it is difficult to determine that this damaged HYBE’s social reputation."
— Prosecution
They also acknowledged the rude language but framed it as opinion unlikely to harm HYBE’s social value.
"While terms like ‘mentally ill’ and ‘Hamas’ are undoubtedly rude, there is room to interpret the comments as expressions of personal opinion. It is hard to conclude that the comments alone caused a decline in HYBE’s social value."
— Prosecution
The ruling ignited fierce online reactions from K-pop fans, with many mocking HYBE’s failed attempt to silence criticism.
"even the prosecution agrees that hybe is manipulating the media…"
— Twitter user @jeanzified"The judge literally said well it is truly Media manipulation what do you want me to do …"
— Twitter user @Apbn7
Fans continue to debate the impact of this legal showdown as HYBE’s media reputation faces scrutiny.
