Peponi Music, the agency representing the band Jannabi, has announced the final legal outcome against a perpetrator who engaged in long-term stalking and sexual offenses targeting artist Choi Jung Hoon.
On March 6, Peponi Music posted on its official social media that the lawsuit against a malicious individual who invaded Choi Jung Hoon’s privacy and followed the artist around had been finalized.
According to the agency, the perpetrator repeatedly posted hundreds of secret comments on Choi Jung Hoon’s Naver blog, “Jeong Chun,” containing death threats, demands for private meetings, and abusive language. The individual also reportedly visited areas near the agency to harass the artist, continuing unilateral stalking behavior.
Peponi Music, represented by HanJoong Law Firm, filed a complaint against the perpetrator for violations of the “Stalking Punishment Act” and the “Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes” for posting content intended to cause sexual humiliation through messages and photos. During the investigation, the perpetrator was identified, and temporary measures, including a restraining order, were imposed to protect the victim. The court ultimately sentenced the perpetrator to a fine of 5 million KRW (approx. 3,374 USD) and ordered completion of a stalking treatment program.
A Peponi Music representative stated, “This measure serves as a strict warning to perpetrators who continuously inflict mental distress by invading an artist’s personal space. We will continue to take strong legal action against any acts that infringe upon the artist’s rights, such as defamation, insult, or the dissemination of false information, without compromise or leniency.”
The agency also emphasized that it is actively documenting malicious posts through fan reports and internal monitoring to ensure the artist can focus on activities in a safe and stable environment.
Full Statement from Peponi Music:
"Hello, this is Peponi Music.
We are sharing the confirmed results of a lawsuit handled by HanJoong Law Firm, our legal representative.
There were hundreds of secret comments posted on Naver blog “Jeong Chun,” personally operated by Choi Jung Hoon of Jannabi, containing abusive language, demands for private meetings, death threats, and the artist’s photos. The perpetrator also continued stalking activities by visiting the vicinity of our agency building. As such, we filed a complaint under the 'Stalking Punishment Act.' Additionally, for continuously posting content intended to cause sexual humiliation or discomfort, we filed a complaint under the 'Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (Obscenity via Communication Media).'
During the investigation, the perpetrator was identified, and temporary measures, including a restraining order, were imposed to protect the victim. This case represents a typical example of a perpetrator causing sustained mental distress via the secret comment feature of the artist’s personal Naver blog. The court confirmed a fine of 5 million KRW and mandated completion of a stalking treatment program.
Moving forward, we will continue to actively pursue legal action against online malicious posts, including defamation, insults, false information dissemination, and obscenity via communication media. Perpetrators will be held fully accountable without compromise or leniency.
Through valuable fan reports and our own monitoring, we are continuously documenting malicious posts. We remain committed to ensuring our artists can dedicate themselves to their work in a safe and stable environment.
Thank you."
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