Singer and actress IU has launched extensive legal action against individuals who posted malicious content about her.
On February 11, her agency EDAM Entertainment released an update on ongoing legal measures targeting those responsible for defamatory posts, insults, false information, malicious slander, and sexual harassment involving the artist.
According to the agency, IU filed criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against a total of 96 individuals in 2025 through her legal representative, law firm Shinwon. The defendants allegedly posted malicious content across platforms, including Naver, Nate Pann, Daum, Theqoo, DC Inside, Threads, Instagram, Instiz, Ilbe, YouTube, and X.
Since the previous notice, court rulings and legal dispositions have included seven fines, one case involving both a fine and an order to complete a sexual violence treatment program, three conditional suspensions of indictment requiring educational courses, and one case resulting in a suspended prison sentence with probation. Individuals who continued to post malicious content even after an initial round of complaints were subject to additional lawsuits, and formal trials were held instead of summary proceedings.
A key case involved a defendant who spread false “spy” rumors about IU. The court sentenced the individual to a fine of 5 million KRW (approximately 3,700 USD). In another case, a person who raised false plagiarism allegations against IU overseas and accused her of violating copyright law was sued for emotional damages, with the court fully siding with IU and ordering 30 million KRW (approximately 22,000 USD) in compensation.
Additionally, a defendant who repeatedly spread baseless rumors on Naver linking IU to serious crimes, circulated false claims about her nationality and identity, and posted sexually harassing content received a sentence of 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with probation.
Legal action is also ongoing against so-called “cyber wrecker” YouTube accounts that distributed defamatory content and false information about IU. Investigations are currently underway. The agency further revealed that civil lawsuits have been filed against users on overseas platforms such as Threads, with procedures in progress to request disclosure of user information through U.S. courts.
Beyond online crimes, EDAM emphasized that it is responding strictly to offline offenses as well. There have been multiple recent cases of individuals visiting IU’s home, her family’s residence, or areas near the company to issue threats or demand money. Those involved have been booked by the police, and investigations are in progress.
The agency stated, “We clearly affirm that we will take strong legal action, including criminal complaints, without any leniency against all acts that threaten the safety of our artist. We urge people to absolutely refrain from attempting to approach or visit the artist, her family, or related personnel.”
EDAM added that it continues to monitor portals, online communities, social media, music platforms, and YouTube, collecting evidence on malicious posts on an ongoing basis. The company stressed that it will pursue firm legal measures to protect IU’s reputation, rights, and personal safety, holding perpetrators fully accountable without settlement or leniency.
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