Defendant Sentenced to Prison Over Fabricated Videos Targeting Jang Wonyoung

A defendant prosecuted over fabricated videos targeting IVE member Jang Wonyoung has been sentenced to prison, according to Starship Entertainment.

The agency announced the result on September 9 as part of an update on its legal efforts to protect its artists. Starship said the defendant had been indicted on criminal charges that included distributing fabricated video material targeting Wonyoung and recently received a prison sentence from the court.

Starship said it responded firmly throughout the investigation and trial and intends to continue pursuing legal responsibility under a zero-tolerance approach to serious infringements of its artists’ rights.

The company also expanded its legal action on September 9, filing additional criminal complaints after collecting evidence involving certain YouTube channels, so-called “cyber wreckers,” and users of online communities and social platforms accused of repeatedly spreading false or malicious material about Wonyoung.

According to Starship, the new action covers conduct including repeatedly distributing false claims, editing or distorting portions of recorded video to misrepresent Wonyoung’s character or behavior, and continuing malicious attacks even after facts had been established.

The agency said its monitoring extends beyond the original creators of malicious content to accounts and channels that repeatedly redistribute it. Starship also said anonymity, pseudonyms or the use of overseas platforms would not prevent it from pursuing civil or criminal procedures where necessary.

The prison sentence gives the agency’s ongoing campaign against malicious online content a concrete legal outcome, while the newly filed complaints show that its enforcement efforts around Wonyoung remain active.