JULIE of KISS OF LIFE says she will pursue legal action after a video, believed to have been pulled from a hacked CCTV feed, spread online.
On the 30th, her label S2 Entertainment said it has “confirmed the circulation of video content that was illegally leaked and distributed online.” The company added that “baseless speculation” around the artist has continued to spread, “seriously damaging her reputation and character,” explaining its decision to move forward legally.
S2 Entertainment said it is working with its law firm to collect and analyze evidence, preparing legal action over the spread of false information, the creation and amplification of malicious posts, and violations of personality rights. The agency emphasized it will “respond forcefully with no settlements or leniency,” warning that not only the illegal leak and distribution of the footage but also any secondary harm or edited re-uploads could face criminal penalties.
Meanwhile, the YouTube channel Hover Lab is facing backlash for alleged secondary victimization after it re-aired on the 29th a clip showing the purported victims’ faces without blurring, saying it was to “warn” viewers about hacking.
During the broadcast, the channel aired for several seconds CCTV footage recorded in a private setting with no mosaic applied. Even while acknowledging that the video was illegally obtained and spreading on illicit sites, the channel showed a female victim’s face unmasked, further fueling controversy.
Separately, VERIVERY’s KANGMIN―who was rumored online to be tied to another leaked clip―denied the speculation, calling it “completely unfounded.”
Photo: Baik Seung-Chul
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)