ARMYs Praise BIGHIT MUSIC’s “No Settlement” Policy For BTS’s Stalkers

On September 27, BIGHIT MUSIC released an official statement outlining the strict legal actions taken against malicious online users and stalkers who infringed upon BTS’s artistic and personal rights.

The notice stated that the company has initiated legal proceedings against individuals who engaged in malicious online activities against BTS, including defamation, sexual harassment, spreading false information, and hate comments. It also mentioned that a certain individual who has been repeatedly posting violent and high-intensity abusive comments across different sites might face criminal charges as BIGHIT has compiled all evidence and filed a criminal complaint against them.

During this quarter, we filed multiple criminal complaints with law enforcement agencies based on evidence related to acts infringing on the rights of the artists, including defamation, submitted by our fans as well as collected through our own monitoring…Furthermore, among the defendants in this round of legal actions, there was an individual who repeatedly posted violent and offensive abusive comments on portal site news sections. This individual regularly engaged in dozens of cases of high-intensity malicious commenting across various articles. We have compiled all verified comments and filed criminal complaints against the individual.

— BIGHIT MUSIC

But what took fans aback even more was how BIGHIT has handled the issue of stalkers and sasaeng fans. Over the past few months, concerns regarding BTS’s privacy have plagued ARMYs with repeated violations.

RM’s privacy was reportedly invaded by a KORAIL employee who accessed his personal information from the company’s database. His private visit to a temple was also allegedly leaked by the chief monk to the press, though they denied any accountability. Last year, Jimin’s private documents were stolen from his mailbox and spread online. Jungkook had to post a warning on Weverse after someone sent a food delivery to his address. He also addressed the issue of stalkers during his livestream multiple times.

Korail employee 'A' under fire after accessing RM's personal info MULTIPLE occasions UNAUTHORIZED.

'A' was able to gain access to RM's train ticketing info, personal info,(address, mobile #, MORE) which 'A' accessed 18 times WITHOUT consent since 2019.https://t.co/XVuSKOZncm

— rp⁷ | ʟᴀʏᴏ(ꪜ)ᴇʀ (@ysljks) March 1, 2023

I was about to go home but there were people outside (the gym). It wasn't an official schedule so… that's right, I'm drunk. That's why I'm talking about things like this

— minnie (@tteokminnie) March 3, 2023

The other members have also faced such harassment, causing growing tension among fans for their safety and well-being. However, BIGHIT MUSIC’s strict way of handling the problem has offered them assurance. In the recent notice, the label elaborated on how they handled individuals who “repeatedly sent mails and packages to the artists’ residences, even causing harm to the artists’ families.” They have filed criminal complaints against them on charges of stalking (Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking) and were able to attain an interim restraining order as the prosecution investigated the charges.

However, the ruling that was handed down in the second quarter of 2022 dismissed the case against some of the defendants. BIGHIT filed objections and pushed for reinvestigation, and ultimately, the suspects were found guilty of personal attacks and defamation against the BTS members. Consequently, they faced legal penalties.

Our company is committed to ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal activities against our artists, even if it takes time. We will continue to adhere to strict measures and our policy of no settlement and no leniency to hold suspects accountable.

— BIGHIT MUSIC

ARMYs are praising BIGHIT MUSIC for going the extra mile to ensure the stalkers didn’t get away scot-free, especially given the fact that stalking is still not seen as a serious crime by South Korean law. They hope that these strict actions will discourage people from repeating such behaviors.

I love that the court said "let it go" and bighit said "no" ???? https://t.co/el1IynTpir pic.twitter.com/ibN3kPXayy

— Kourin⁷ (@AngKourin) September 27, 2023

Love how Bighit continues its no-settlement policy by explaining that a judge tried to tell them they didn’t have a case against someone last year ago and their only response was “I think we fucking do” and the court eventually had to response was “oh wait, you’re right.” https://t.co/PdLLfqGsBc pic.twitter.com/lNJMHIhkUF

— Sunnie with ᵘʷᵘ Energy∞⁷ (@YaGurlSunshine) September 27, 2023

bighit every once in a while pic.twitter.com/dYtksaCPfN

— tay (tae)⁷ ³ᵈ (@kimgayism) September 27, 2023

This is so heartbreaking
If you really love them, you will unfollow acc which are repeatedly posting stalker pics and videos or disclose their whereabouts.

If you share any of them, I will report you to BigHit because I'm tired. pic.twitter.com/HbM2lRJCkC

— to the Magic Shop⁷ (@KeyToMagicShop) September 27, 2023