K-pop agency HYBE seeks assistance from US court to reveal identity of X account in defamation lawsuit

HYBE, the entertainment group behind K-pop sensation BTS, is taking legal action against a social media platform in the United States in an effort to uncover the identity of a user accused of defamation and harassment. In a court filing reviewed by Reuters, HYBE requested a court order to assist in a criminal complaint filed against an anonymous user with the handle “@guiltyarchive” with the Seoul Yongsan Police Station.

The move comes in response to calls from BTS fans, known as ARMYs, to protect the group from malicious rumors amid an internal dispute with a sub-label. Some fans even went as far as sending flowers and trucks bearing supportive messages to HYBE’s headquarters in Seoul.

In South Korea, individuals who create sensationalist social media content targeting celebrities are often referred to as “cyber wreckers” and have been criticized for encouraging cyberbullying. This case is reminiscent of a recent incident involving K-pop singer Jang Won-young and her agency Starship Entertainment, who identified an individual behind a YouTube channel with the help of Google while pursuing defamation charges.

HYBE’s lawyer stated in the legal document that the X account’s “false” and “defamatory” statements have caused irreparable harm to the firm’s business and shareholders. The subpoena request was made at the San Francisco Division of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where X’s headquarters are located.

This legal battle highlights the ongoing challenges faced by K-pop groups and their management in dealing with online harassment and defamation. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how celebrities are protected from cyberbullying in the future.