IVE’s Jang Won Young has achieved a partial win in her legal battle against notorious YouTuber Sojang, known for spreading malicious rumors about the K-pop idol. However, in a surprising turn of events, the court has reduced the compensation amount, cutting it in half from the initial ruling.

On January 22, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that YouTuber A, the operator behind the now-deleted YouTube channel Tal-deoksu-yong-so, must pay 50 million won (~$39,000 USD) in damages—down from the 100 million won (~$78,000 USD) initially awarded in the first trial.

The Legal Battle So Far

Back in October 2023, Jang Won Young filed a lawsuit against the controversial content creator, citing continuous defamation and false accusations through a series of videos that tarnished her reputation. Over a period spanning from October 2021 to June 2023, Sojang uploaded 23 defamatory videos, targeting Jang Won Young and other celebrities.

Reports revealed that the YouTuber made a staggering 250 million won (~$195,000 USD) in revenue from the channel, some of which was allegedly used to invest in real estate. Despite the channel being deleted, the damage had already been done, leading Jang Won Young and her agency, Starship Entertainment, to take legal action.

What Happens Next?

In addition to the civil lawsuit, the criminal case against Sojang continues. In the first trial, the YouTuber was sentenced to two years in prison with three years of probation, but the prosecution has appealed the verdict, pushing for a harsher punishment.

Meanwhile, Starship Entertainment has also filed a separate damages lawsuit against Sojang, which is currently ongoing. The agency has vowed to continue pursuing strong legal action to protect their artist and deter further defamation.

Fans React

The news of the partial win has sparked mixed reactions among fans. While many are relieved that Jang Won Young is receiving justice, others are expressing disappointment over the reduced compensation. Fans have flooded social media with messages of support, urging agencies to take even stronger action against malicious content creators.

"Won Young deserves full justice! No more leniency for these haters."
"Sojang profited from spreading lies, they should pay the full amount!"
"Stay strong, Queen Won Young! We're always with you."

As the legal battle unfolds, fans remain hopeful that Jang Won Young and other idols targeted by malicious rumors will receive the justice they deserve.

Stay tuned for more updates on this ongoing case and show your support for Jang Won Young by sending her positive messages!