sabiz

A 30-something YouTuber who made fake videos maliciously defaming IVE's Jang Wonyoung and other celebrities, earning millions in revenue, has been sentenced to a two-year prison term with three years of probation.

On the 15th, Judge Kim Saetbyeol of the Incheon District Court's Criminal Division 11 handed down the sentence for YouTuber A (36, female), who was indicted for defamation and insult under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Protection of Information.

The court also ordered A to pay a fine of 210 million KRW and perform 120 hours of community service.

From October 2021 to June 2023, A uploaded 23 videos defaming seven celebrities, including entertainers and influencers, on her YouTube channel "탈덕수용소" (Anti-Fan Shelter). The videos included false claims such as "Jang Wonyoung caused the cancellation of a fellow trainee's debut due to jealousy" and "Other celebrities have engaged in prostitution or undergone plastic surgery."

A also uploaded videos mocking the appearance of two members of another female idol group, leading to charges of insult.

An investigation of A's YouTube channel account revealed that she earned 250 million KRW over two years, from June 2021.

Previously, Jang Wonyoung's side filed a lawsuit for damages, claiming her reputation had been harmed by the continuous spread of false information. The court ruled in favor of Jang Wonyoung in January of last year, ordering A to pay 100 million KRW in damages.

Similarly, singer Kang Daniel filed a lawsuit and received 30 million KRW in compensation. BTS members V and Jungkook also filed a lawsuit against A last year, demanding 90 million KRW in damages.