In a move to protect the safety and privacy of their artists and staff, BIGHIT MUSIC has released an official statement addressing the pressing issue of stalkers and Sasaeng fans.
Over the years, the prevalence of obsessive fans, commonly referred to as “Sasaengs,” has been a growing concern within the K-pop industry. These fans often engage in invasive and dangerous behavior, such as stalking and harassment, causing distress to both artists and their agencies.
BIGHIT MUSIC, home to globally acclaimed groups like BTS and TXT, has constantly been battling with these invasive fans and has been taking legal measures.
On September 27, BIGHIT MUSIC released a statement regarding the latest measures taken against these individuals. The agency posted the statement on BTS’ Weverse and stated, “Our company regularly initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of malicious activities related to BTS, including defamation, personal attacks, sexual harassment, the spread of groundless information, and ill-intentioned criticism. We would like to provide an update on these important activities.”
The label continued, “In particular, we gathered ongoing evidence regarding individuals who repeatedly sent mails and packages to the artists’ residences, even causing harm to the artists’ families, and filed criminal complaints against them on charges of violating laws regarding stalking crimes (Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking). The court has issued an interim restraining order, and a prosecutor’s investigation is underway. We remain committed to an uncompromising, zero-tolerance policy in addressing stalking crimes that infringe on the privacy and safety of our artists.”
According to the label’s statement, a restraining order was placed and will be followed by an investigation. BIGHIT MUSIC stressed that it will not tolerate any crimes that infringe on the privacy and safety of its artists.
The full statement from BIGHIT MUSIC is as follows:
“Hello.
This is BIGHIT MUSIC.Our company regularly initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of malicious activities related to BTS, including defamation, personal attacks, sexual harassment, the spread of groundless information, and ill-intentioned criticism. We would like to provide an update on these important activities.
During this quarter, we filed multiple criminal complaints with law enforcement agencies based on evidence related to acts infringing on the rights of the artists, including defamation, submitted by our fans as well as collected through our own monitoring.
In particular, we gathered ongoing evidence regarding individuals who repeatedly sent mail and packages to the artists’ residences, even causing harm to the artists’ families, and filed criminal complaints against them on charges of violating laws regarding stalking crimes (Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking). The court has issued an interim restraining order, and a prosecutor’s investigation is underway. We remain committed to an uncompromising, zero-tolerance policy in addressing stalking crimes that infringe on the privacy and safety of our artists.
A decision was handed down in the second quarter of 2022 declaring a non-suit and halting the investigations against some of the suspects, and we filed objections and requested reinvestigation of these cases. As a result, through prosecution referrals, the suspects were ultimately found guilty of personal attacks and defamation against the artists, and legal penalties were imposed.
Furthermore, among the defendants in this round of legal actions, there was an individual who repeatedly posted violent and offensive abusive comments on portal site news sections. This individual regularly engaged in dozens of cases of high-intensity malicious commenting across various articles. We have compiled all verified comments and filed criminal complaints against the individual.
BIGHIT MUSIC regularly collects information on malicious postings regarding BTS, reports them to the authorities, and takes legal action. We would like to inform you that we are taking strong measures against malicious postings related to all members, including the members who are currently fulfilling their military service.
Our company is committed to ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal activities against our artists, even if it takes time. We will continue to adhere to strict measures and our policy of no settlement and no leniency to hold suspects accountable.
We ask that our fans make continued use of our legal affairs hotline (protect@bighitmusic.co.kr) to report any cases of abuse.
We are always grateful for the affection and dedication shown by the fans of BTS. BIGHIT MUSIC will continue to work to ensure that the rights of our artists are fully protected.
Thank you
.”
