In the ongoing defamation case involving IVE‘s Jang Wonyoung, the YouTuber behind the channel ‘De-altus Facility’ claimed there was no intentional harm, despite making significant profits from the videos.
According to News1, the first court session for A, the operator of ‘De-altus Facility’, took place on the 2nd at the Seoul Eastern District Court.
A faces charges including defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. Judge Kim Saetbyeol of the 11th Criminal Division presided over the case.
A appeared in court with long hair, glasses, and a mask, making it difficult to recognize them, as seen in previous appearances.
A’s lawyer admitted that the videos were posted but insisted there was no intentional defamation. “The videos are merely expressions of opinion, so there is no factual defamation,” the lawyer stated. They also argued that even if defamation were acknowledged, there was no intention behind it.
‘De-altus Facility’, run by A, has been spreading malicious rumors about famous idols, including plastic surgery and romantic relationships, since 2021. At the time, the channel had around 60,000 subscribers and made about 10 million won per month, totaling 250 million won in revenue.
Jang Wonyoung of IVE was one of the major victims of these rumors. Despite enduring the harmful videos, she, along with Kang Daniel and BTS, decided to take legal action.
Starship Entertainment, Jang Wonyoung‘s agency, filed a lawsuit against A in July of last year, seeking 100 million won in damages.
The court partially ruled in favor of Jang Wonyoung in October, but A appealed and requested a stay of enforcement.
Kang Daniel also took legal action against A for defamation. During a court hearing, A defended their actions by saying, “What do you think?” and argued that the videos were meant to address viewers’ curiosity and serve the public interest. “It is necessary to inform the public if someone beloved by the public associates with individuals who display socially undesirable behavior,” A claimed.
Source [1]