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NewJeans is asking an American court to force Google to unmask an anonymous YouTube user so that the person can be criminally prosecuted under South Korea’s strict libel laws for posting “false and defamatory videos” about the K-pop band.
In court documents filed last month, attorneys for NewJeans requested that a California federal judge issue a subpoena requiring Google to reveal the user’s identity. The band wants the info because they are seeking criminal charges in South Korea – a far more serious penalty for defamation than exists under U.S. law.
“The applicants are members of a female K-Pop group, who have come under attack by an anonymous individual posting false and defamatory videos on YouTube,” the group’s lawyer wrote in the March 27 petition, which was obtained by Billboard. “Unfortunately, without the YouTuber’s personally identifiable information the criminal case cannot be fully prosecuted.”
Trending on Billboard
The band’s target is the anonymous owner of a YouTube account called “7th Grade in Middle School,” which attorneys for NewJeans say has “engaged in name-calling or other mocking behavior” and has posted as many as 33 defamatory videos that have been viewed more than 13 million times. They cited one particularly “derogatory” post, which allegedly claimed that NewJeans member Min-ji Kim was the “eldest daughter of a Vietnamese farmer.”
HYBE, the parent company of NewJeans’ label ADOR, did not immediately return a request for comment on the legal proceedings. The recent court filings, which were refiled in court last week, were first reported by The New York Times.
The case illustrates striking differences between U.S. and South Korean protections for free speech. Under American law, defamation is a civil wrong that can lead to damages, but one that’s sharply limited by the First Amendment. To win such a case, public figures like the members of NewJeans would need to prove that the YouTube user knowingly made false statements, a burden that’s intentionally difficult to satisfy.
In South Korea, on the other hand, defamation is a criminal offense that can be “punished by imprisonment with labor for up to seven years,” and even fully true statements can face criminal penalties. In 2015, a United Nations watchdog called out South Korea‘s “increasing use of criminal defamation laws to prosecute persons who criticize government action.” In 2022, a U.S. State Department report warned that public figures in Korea had used the country’s libel laws to “restrict public discussion and harass, intimidate, or censor private and media expression.”
NewJeans isn’t the first K-pop group to use those laws. In 2019, HYBE (then Big Hit Entertainment) filed criminal defamation cases over BTS, alleging the targets had behind “personal attacks” on the band. In 2022, Big Hit did so again over “malicious postings” about BTS, asking the group’s famous fan “army” to help gather evidence. YG Entertainment, the label behind Blackpink, has also filed its own complaint against “internet trolls,” accusing them of “spreading groundless rumours about our singers.”
According to the recent U.S. court filings, NewJeans’ label ADOR filed a criminal complaint with police in Seoul in March, but the case has stalled because they cannot identify the actual person behind the YouTube account. The group’s attorneys say they sent a request for such information to Google, but that the American tech giant has refused to hand it over.
A spokesman for Google declined to comment when reached by Billboard on Thursday. In a policy statement regarding government requests for personal information, the company says: “Google carefully reviews each request to make sure it satisfies applicable laws. If a request asks for too much information, we try to narrow it, and in some cases we object to producing any information at all.”
The members of BLACKPINK are closing out the year with some bombshell news — Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa have split with YG Entertainment for all solo endeavors.
On Friday (Dec. 29), YG issued a statement announcing the decision. “YG recently signed an extension contract for BLACKPINK’s group activities and agreed not to proceed with a separate additional contract for individual activities,” read a translated statement provided to Billboard by representatives for YG Entertainment. “We will do our best to support BLACKPINK’s activities and will cheer for the individual activities of the members with a warm heart.”
Earlier this month (Dec. 6), via a regulatory filing, YG Entertainment confirmed that BLACKPINK had renewed its contract with the company for all group activities. Details regarding the new contracts were not immediately available upon filing.
Just this week (Dec. 24), Jennie shared that she will be launching a new record label and company called OA. A caption of a photoset posted to the official OA Instagram page reads: “OA, which stands for ODD ATELIER, is a space that aims to create new things that attract attention in a different way from what is usual or expected. It is a label founded by artist JENNIE in November 2023.”
To date, all four members of BLACKPINK have begun their respective solo journeys. In 2021, both Rosé and Lisa unleashed their debut solo albums. Rosé’s -R- contained the single “On the Ground,” which debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts — the first song by a Korean solo artist to do so. With her LaLisa album — which housed a pair of Billboard Hot 100 hits in the title track (No. 84) and “Money” (No. 90) — Lisa became the first soloist to win the MTV Video Music Award for best K-pop.
This spring (Mar. 31), Jisoo released Me, her debut single album. The two-track project was led by “Flower,” which reached No. 2 on the Global 200. Although Jennie was the first BLACKPINK member to go solo back in 2018 (her aptly titled “Solo” peaked atop US World Digital Song Sales), she finally made her Hot 100 debut on the chart dated Dec. 30, 2023, with her Idol hit “One of the Girls” alongside The Weeknd & Lily-Rose Depp. In June, Jennie starred in the controversial Weeknd-produced HBO drama The Idol.
BLACKPINK is, to date, the most successful K-pop girl group in U.S. history. In 2023, the group headlined Coachella and wrapped their blockbuster Born Pink World Tour (which helped them take home top K-pop touring artist at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards) in support of their Billboard 200-topping Born Pink album.
Representatives for BLACKPINK did not immediately respond to Billboard’s request for comment.
BTS and ZEROBASEONE were both double winners at night 1 of the 2023 MAMA AWARDS, the world’s top K-pop awards show, on Tuesday (Nov. 28). BTS won the Samsung Galaxy worldwide icon of the year award and also was one of 10 winners of worldwide fans’ choice. ZEROBASEONE was one of two winners of favorite new artist (along with RIIZE) and another of the 10 winners of worldwide fans’ choice.
The other eight winners of worldwide fans’ choice were ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, Lim Young Woong, NCT DREAM, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and TWICE.
Nominees for worldwide fans’ choice who were not selected were aespa, AKMU, BOYNEXTDOOR, BTOB, CIX, CRAVITY, EVNNE, EXO, fromis_9, (G)I-DLE, H1-KEY, Highlight, ITZY, IVE, Jisoo, Jeon Somi, Kep1er, LE SSERAFIM, Lee Chae Yeon, Lee Mujin, MONSTA X, n.SSign, NCT 127, NewJeans, NMIXX, ONEUS, P1Harmony, Parc Jae Jung, Red Velvet, RIIZE, SHINee, STAYC, Super Junior, Taeyang, TEMPEST, THE BOYZ, TREASURE, Xdinary Heroes, xikers and Zior Park.
First-night performers included &TEAM, Dynamicduo, ENHYPEN, INI, JO1, JUST B, Kep1er, Lee Young Ji, STREET WOMAN FIGHTER 2, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, TVXQ!, xikers and Yoshiki.
In addition, JAEHYUN of BOYNEXTDOOR, HONG EUNCHAE of LE SSERAFIM, ANTON of RIIZE, CHOI HYUN SUK, YOSHI, HARUTO of TREASURE and ZHANG HAO of ZEROBASEONE appeared for special collaborations.
Videos of the performances can be watched on the official YouTube channel, Mnet K-POP.
ZEROBASEONE is set to take the stage on night 2, Wednesday Nov. 29, along with ATEEZ, BOYNEXTDOOR, EL7Z UP, (G)I-DLE, LE SSERAFIM, Monika, NiziU, RIIZE, SEVENTEEN and TREASURE.
Here’s a complete list of winners from night 1 of the 2023 K-Pop Awards.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Worldwide Icon of the Year: BTS
Worldwide Fans’ Choice: ATEEZ, BTS, ENHYPEN, Lim Young Woong, NCT DREAM, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, TWICE, ZEROBASEONE
Favorite New Artist: RIIZE, ZEROBASEONE
Inspiring Achievement: TVXQ!
Favorite Asian Male Group: INI
Favorite Asian Female Group: Kep1er
Favorite International Artist: Yoshiki
Galaxy Neo Flip Artist: TREASURE
bibigo CULTURE & STYLE: STREET WOMAN FIGHTER 2
Out of all the days Jung Kook sings about in his hit single “Seven,” Friday just might be the most special one. At long last, the “Golden Maknae” of BTS has finally unveiled his debut solo studio album, Golden. The record — which already features two Billboard Hot 100 top 5 hits — arrived on […]
Fans will soon be able to bask in all of Jung Kook’s solo glory with a very special upcoming television appearance. The “Seven” crooner will make his solo Tonight Show debut on Monday, Nov. 6, as a guest and performer. Emmy-winning host Jimmy Fallon took to the official Tonight Show Instagram to reveal the announcement. […]
The K-pop agency ATTRAKT announced that it has terminated its contracts with three of the four members of the girl group FIFTY FIFTY, stating that the three members — Aran, Sio and Saena — had “slandered and defamed the agency” and sought to break their contracts.
The termination is in response to an apparent contract dispute between all four members of the group and ATTRAKT that arose in June, according to the Korea Times, wherein the group alleged that ATTRAKT had breached its contract by “failing to provide accounting data” and neglecting the group’s mental health, according to the outlet. Since then, the fourth member of the group, Keena, dropped her lawsuit and returned to the agency.
FIFTY FIFTY broke out onto the charts in a major way earlier this year with their hit “Cupid,” which initially gained momentum on TikTok before rising to No. 17 on the Hot 100 and spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Global Ex-U.S. chart in May, while also reaching the top 10 of the Pop Airplay chart in July, peaking at No. 7 and becoming just the second K-pop group, behind BTS, to reach that territory. The group, which was formed by ATTRAKT last year, signed a deal with Warner Records / Warner Music Group Korea in April of this year.
A rep for Warner Records did not return a request for comment..
In its statement, ATTRAKT also alleged a “conspiracy” between the three members of the group and Sung-il Ahn, also known as SIAHN, who is the founder/CEO of The Givers, a K-pop consulting firm that co-managed the group alongside Attrakt and who is the producer of “Cupid.” According to the Korea Times, Attrakt has filed a suit for damages against SIAHN and The Givers over its involvement in the contract dispute, alleging SIAHN attempted to poach the group away from ATTRAKT.
In April, SIAHN told Billboard that ATTRAKT and The Givers were taking a different approach towards the group than the typical K-pop company does with its artists, which typically combine management and label services under one roof.
“We plan to propose a new label structure for FIFTY FIFTY — a separate label for them, solely concentrating on the artist’s development,” SIAHN said at the time. “K-pop companies have an entrenched ‘artist-agency’ relationship, which poses a significant obstacle to an artist’s long-term global expansion. To overcome this persistent problem, The Givers is exploring a structure where the label directly contracts with the artist while the main producer oversees the creative aspects of the group and collaborates with the label.”
Jung Kook’s “3D,” featuring Jack Harlow, has topped this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Sept. 29) on Billboard, choosing the team-up between the BTS member and Louisville rapper as their favorite new music release of the past week. “3D” brought in 62% of the vote, beating out new […]
Even though his Latto-assisted “Seven” is still dominating music charts around the world, Jung Kook already has his eyes set on his next smash hit. On Friday (Sept. 28), the BTS member unleashed “3D,” a brand new collaboration with Grammy-nominated “First Class” rapper Jack Harlow. Over a funky instrumental that evokes Justin Timberlake’s “Señorita,” Jung […]
The 20 contestants of The Debut: Dream Academy were put to the test on Friday (Sept. 15) when they completed the first mission of the competition. And the newest YouTube installment of the girl group competition also says goodbye to its first two finalists.
The mission was a showcase with the goal to “level up your skills as a global girl group,” as the contestants were previously split into two dance teams and two vocal teams. “Team members are crucial business partners, and it’s important to know proper work etiquette with your business partner,” HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk explained in the first episode, which aired last week.
The girls were split into four teams for the mission, with two vocal teams and two dance teams. The first dance team consisted of Daniela, Megan, UA, Adéla and Hinari, while the second dance team featured Emily, Ezrela, Marquise, Yoonchae and Mei. The first vocal team included Karlee, Lexie, Iliya, Brooklyn and Manon and the second vocal team consisted of Sophia, Lara, Celeste, Samara and Nayoung.
Fans voted on WeVerse and YouTube for their favorite contestants after the jaw-dropping performances, but ultimately, the first two contestants eliminated in the mission were 19-year-old Adéla from Slovakia and 14-year-old Hinari from Japan (pictured below).
Adela
Courtesy of HYBE x Geffen Records
Hinari
Courtesy of HYBE x Geffen Records
The remaining 18 contestants have flown from Los Angeles to Korea for Mission No. 2, where they will continue the competition at a training & development facility where many K-pop groups have trained.
When the 20 finalists were announced last month, Chairman Bang said at a press event in LA: “I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while. To do this, I believed we needed a capable partner. When I met [Interscope Geffen A&M Records CEO] John [Janick], from the first moment, we both felt instantly that we had a connection, musically and creatively. I am very proud of the rich history we have made and the tremendous talent we have found. I am proud of the opportunities we have created within the K-pop universe.”
For his part, Janick added: “Since we began our partnership two years ago, Bang and I have often spoken about our shared beliefs in artist development, music and creativity. To develop a global group with Bang, with the best of K-pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its kind experience in music. Each candidate is incredibly talented, dedicated, and driven, making this an exciting moment for music fans around the world.”
Watch the episode above.
Tuesday (Sept. 12) evening proved a big night for STAY when Stray Kids nabbed a Moon Person for best K-pop at the 2023 MTV VMAs. Stray Kids were nominated for the VMA for alongside aespa, BLACKPINK, Fifty Fifty, Seventeen and TOMORROW X TOGETHER. When sisters and social media stars Charli and Dixie D’Amelio announced that […]
