On July 21, 2025, Star Today reported that members of BTS Taehyung (V) and Jungkook were unable to conclude a regulation in their trials in damages against Youtuber Sojang. Mediation took place that morning at the district court in Seoul. The court officially declared that mediation had failed.
Now, the two parties having not concluded an agreement, the current appeal trial will resume as planned. The trial was filed jointly by V, Jungkook, and their Big Hit Music agency. He demanded 90 million KRW in compensation.
They accused Sojang, whose real name is Park Joo-Ah, of having allegedly downloaded many false and defamatory videos that have damaged the reputation of artists. They said it would have interfered with Big Hit’s commercial operations.
They also included allegations of copyright violation, saying that it used the content of the company without authorization. The first trial partially ruled in their favor. The court ordered sojang to pay 51 million krw to great success, KRW 10 million at V and 15 million KRW in Jungkook.
However, the Youtuber appealed the decision. Subsequently, the Court of Appeal ordered the mediation of the case by the court rather than an appeal hearing. Given that mediation has failed to achieve a regulation, the case will now continue through the process of the Court of First Instance.
Context on the case and the current legal issues involving Sojang and Hybe
The conflict began between October 2021 and June 2023, when the YouTuber exploited a chain under the name of “탈덕수용소” (TaldeoksuyongSo) Aka Sojang. She would have published videos on the basis of unconfirmed rumors and speculation about the celebrities of the K-POP.
V and Jungkook were one of its main targets. The other artists who were also affected included Jang Won-Young d’Ive and singer Kang Daniel.
Due to the repeated harmful content, V and Jungkook filed a complaint in March 2024. They required damage and discussed both defamation and unauthorized use of material protected by copyright. In addition to financial sanctions, the court also ordered Sojang to cover the interests and legal costs of delays.
Despite the decision, the Youtuber appealed and the case was transferred to mediation. His chain has since been deleted. She also apologized recognizing her actions and admitting the pursuit of opinions and profits.
Sojang’s actions have led to several prosecution against other celebrities, including exo XIUMIN. In January 2025, she would have been sentenced to a suspended prison sentence. It also included a period of probation, community service and fines due to previous defamation cases.
According to the Korea Herald, Big Hit Music confirmed in June 2024 that he would continue to bring legal action against those who disseminated false or malicious content about his artists. The label described them as “cyberientimidators”.
Meanwhile, Hybe, the parent company of Big Hit, faces a separate legal examination. President Bang Si-Hyuk has recently been referred to prosecutors by the financial supervision service of South Korea concerning an alleged fault linked to the shares linked to the IPO of Hybé.
The regulators claim that the president had made nearly 400 billion KRW thanks to unfair negotiation practices. Hybe said she will cooperate in the investigation and will work to restore confidence in the company.
Edited by Pratiigya Dhali
