On October 17, SM Entertainment released two new official statements regarding legal action against malicious posts about RIIZE and Seunghan.
Regarding RIIZE, SM Entertainment released the following statement:
Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
We would like to provide an update on the legal action being taken regarding the infringement of rights of our artists RIIZE (Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, Anton).
We have been collecting malicious posts and comments that include threats, defamation, and insults against RIIZE members through fan reports and our own monitoring. We are focusing on filing lawsuits against individuals who continuously spread false information on specific platforms.
In particular, we would like to inform you that some individuals who impersonated acquaintances of RIIZE members on Instagram and wrote false information, as well as individuals whose illegal actions have been confirmed, have been identified and forwarded to the prosecution. We are responding firmly in accordance with the principles, and we will update you on the progress of these cases later on.
Creating and spreading malicious rumors based on fabricated or unverified information, as well as generating malicious content by editing or manipulating the artists’ images, are clear illegal acts. We will continue to take strong action and take measures against those who post malicious content and videos targeting RIIZE on platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, both domestically and internationally. We reiterate that there will be no settlements or leniency for such illegal activities, so please be cautious not to get involved in any unfortunate situations.
We sincerely thank all the fans for their unwavering support and interest in RIIZE. We ask for your continued active reporting and information sharing with us if you discover any illegal actions related to RIIZE.
Thank you.
Here is the statement regarding Seunghan:
Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
We would like to provide an update on the legal action being taken regarding the infringement of rights of our artist Seunghan.
Since his debut, we have been continuously monitoring malicious posts and comments that include false information, personal attacks, insults, and slander against Seunghan. We have already collected a substantial amount of evidence and are proceeding with legal action, including filing complaints against various illegal activities.
In particular, we would like to reiterate that impersonating acquaintances on social media to write false information that damages the artist’s character and reputation and maliciously reproducing and indiscriminately spreading such false information are clear criminal acts.
We are taking immediate legal action whenever any illegal activities related to Seunghan are confirmed, and we will continue to respond firmly without settlements or leniency.
We thank all the fans who support Seunghan, and we will continue to do our best to protect our artists.
Thank you.
Previously on October 13, it was announced that Seunghan would be permanently leaving RIIZE. The news came just two days after the announcement that Seunghan would be returning to the group following a nearly yearlong hiatus.
