Authorities have fined several internet users who posted malicious content against the group NewJeans.
According to legal sources on January 6, the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office summarily indicted a woman identified as A, fining her 700,000 won for allegedly maliciously editing photos of NewJeans members and spreading false information on social media last October.
In the same month, the Daegu District Court Western Branch issued a summary order fining a man identified as B 200,000 won for repeatedly posting malicious comments about NewJeans members on online communities.
Earlier, agency ADOR stated, “We are constantly taking legal action against malicious comments, slander, insults, and defamation through the spread of false information related to NewJeans members through continuous monitoring.”
The NewJeans fandom, known as Team Bunnies, reportedly initiated these penalties through their reports. The fandom’s proactive monitoring reportedly led to approximately 40 online trolls being referred to the prosecution without detention.
Meanwhile, NewJeans, embroiled in a contractual dispute with ADOR since November 2024, lost a first-instance lawsuit last October concerning the validity of their exclusive contract.
Subsequently, members Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni officially returned to ADOR. ADOR remains in talks with Minji and has notified Danielle of the termination of her exclusive contract.
