Min Hee Jin Defamation Lawsuit Concludes With Victory Against Online Trolls
Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has successfully won her defamation lawsuit against malicious online commenters. The Min Hee Jin defamation lawsuit has been closely watched by fans and industry insiders alike, as it represents an important step in combating online harassment in the K-pop industry. This legal victory marks a significant moment for Min Hee Jin who has faced considerable online attacks following her public dispute with HYBE.
The Min Hee Jin Defamation Lawsuit Details and Court Ruling
On March 19th, Judge Ahn Hyun Jin of the Seoul Central District Court ruled partially in favor of Min Hee Jin in her defamation lawsuit against online trolls. The court ordered eight individuals to pay damages ranging from ₩50,000 to ₩100,000 (approximately $34 to $68) each for their harmful comments. The Min Hee Jin defamation lawsuit ruling has been finalized as neither Min Hee Jin nor the defendants filed an appeal against the decision.
See also: Stray Kids dominATE era begins with Truman teaser
The court carefully analyzed the severity of each comment before determining appropriate compensation amounts. Comments deemed most offensive, such as using explicit derogatory terms, resulted in penalties of ₩100,000. Less severe but still harmful comments like “I want to punch her” warranted ₩50,000 in damages. Interestingly, some comments that the court classified as harsh opinions rather than outright defamation received no penalty. This nuanced approach demonstrates how Korean courts are navigating the complex intersection of free speech and defamation in online spaces.
Legal experts anticipate that Min Hee Jin will likely succeed in additional lawsuits against other online trolls who posted similar defamatory content. This Min Hee Jin defamation lawsuit victory could potentially establish a precedent for how the entertainment industry addresses online harassment going forward.
Background of the ADOR CEO Legal Battle with HYBE
The origins of the Min Hee Jin defamation lawsuit trace back to April 2023, when HYBE publicly accused Min Hee Jin of attempting to separate ADOR from its parent company and seize management control. This corporate dispute quickly became one of the most talked-about controversies in the K-pop industry. Following Min Hee Jin’s second press conference addressing these allegations, a flood of malicious comments appeared online, prompting her to take legal action.
Min Hee Jin initially sought ₩3 million per individual for psychological damages caused by these harmful comments. The ADOR CEO legal battle took another turn in August 2023 when Min Hee Jin was removed from her position as CEO of ADOR. The situation escalated further when, on November 29th, the NewJeans members (now known as NJZ) informed ADOR of their decision to terminate their exclusive contracts.
In response to this contract termination, ADOR filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of their agreement with the group and sought a court injunction. This injunction aimed to prevent NewJeans from independently signing endorsement deals or engaging in promotional activities without ADOR’s approval. Despite these legal maneuvers, NewJeans has continued operating independently, recently rebranding as NJZ.
The group is scheduled to headline ‘ComplexCon’ in Hong Kong on March 23rd, where they plan to debut new music. Meanwhile, the first hearing for the ongoing contract dispute between ADOR and NJZ is scheduled for April 3rd, adding another chapter to this complex legal saga.
Final Thoughts on Min Hee Jin’s Defamation Lawsuit Victory Against Online Trolls
The Min Hee Jin defamation lawsuit victory represents an important stance against online harassment in the K-pop industry. While the financial compensation may seem modest, the symbolic importance of the ruling cannot be understated. By legally acknowledging these comments as defamatory, the court has validated Min Hee Jin’s right to protection from malicious online attacks.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public figures in the digital age, where anonymous commenters can inflict significant psychological harm with little consequence. Min Hee Jin’s willingness to pursue legal action may encourage other entertainment industry professionals to stand up against online harassment.
As the larger dispute between Min Hee Jin, HYBE, ADOR, and NJZ continues to unfold, this defamation lawsuit victory provides at least some closure on one aspect of this multifaceted conflict. What do you think about Min Hee Jin’s legal victory against online trolls? Do you believe the penalties were appropriate, or should they have been more severe?