Hello. This is PLEDIS Entertainment. We have continuously collected evidence of malicious posts and comments regarding SEVENTEEN through fan reports and our monitoring initiatives to protect the rights of our artists. Based on this, we have been taking legal action against defamation, insults, and personal attacks on a regular basis. Additionally, we take the ongoing leaks of information related to our artists very seriously and have initiated legal proceedings against such violations. Below is an update on the progress of these actions. 1. Response to Unauthorized Leaks of Artist Information First, we want to provide an update regarding the measures we have taken concerning multiple instances of confidential information leaks about SEVENTEEN’s unreleased albums and performances via anonymous online forums since early 2023. We have always made our best efforts to protect information regarding our artists’ activities. However, we determined that these leaks had escalated beyond an acceptable level. Consequently, we commenced the evidence-collecting process for legal proceedings, including filing a criminal complaint. In the latter half of last year, we appointed a legal representative and proceeded with a formal complaint. The investigative authorities are currently conducting an active investigation into the case. While we cannot disclose further details at this time to avoid interfering with the investigation, we can confirm that the investigation is ongoing against the suspected individuals. PLEDIS Entertainment is fully cooperating with law enforcement through our legal representative and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. We are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable under the full extent of the law. 2. Response to Malicious Posts including Defamation and Insults Furthermore, we continue to take strong legal action against defamatory statements, false rumors, slander, sexual harassment, and other malicious posts concerning our artists, based on both fan reports and our monitoring initiatives. Based on real-time monitoring and valuable fan reports, we have comprehensively collected evidence from various online communities and social media platforms, including major portal sites, X (formerly Twitter), Daum Cafe (such as Women’s Generation and Jjukbbang Cafe), Nate Pann, Instiz, DC Inside, TheQoo, YouTube, and other domestic and global platforms. In particular, we have identified and filed complaints against those responsible for excessive insults, ridicule, personal attacks, sexual harassment, baseless rumors, and invasions of privacy. Based on this evidence, we have submitted formal complaints to the investigative authorities. We will continue to monitor and collect evidence of malicious posts and take regular legal action. There will be no settlement or leniency in cases involving violations of our artists’ rights. 3. Response to Privacy Violations and Threats to Artists’ Safety Additionally, we are taking strict measures against privacy violations and threats to our artists’ safety. Recently, an airline employee was criminally charged following an investigation for illegally selling SEVENTEEN’s flight information, violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. We have also filed legal complaints under the Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking against individuals who have violated our artists’ privacy. Your interest and reports are of great help in our legal response. Should you encounter malicious posts or illegal activities involving our artists, please report them through the “HYBE Artist Rights Violation Report Website (https://protect.hybecorp.com).” To ensure that fan reports are effectively used in legal actions, we would like to provide some guidelines for reporting. We recommend submitting full-screen captures from a PC or full-page print files (PDF), rather than mobile screenshots. Additionally, please ensure that URLs, usernames, post content, and the date of the screenshot are clearly visible in your submission, as this information is critical for legal proceedings. We deeply appreciate your unwavering love and support for SEVENTEEN. PLEDIS Entertainment will continue to work to ensure that the rights of our artists are fully protected. Thank you.
