Hello. This is PLEDIS Entertainment. We maintain a policy of regular and firm legal action against various malicious posts targeting SEVENTEEN, including the spread of false information, insults, and defamation. We would like to provide an update on our progress as of the fourth quarter of 2025. 1. Case of Defamation via False Statements Forwarded to Prosecution Following an investigation by law enforcement authorities into a suspect who spread false information online claiming the artist had committed illegal acts, the charges of defamation by stating false facts were recognized, and the case has been forwarded to the prosecution. We have actively cooperated by submitting relevant materials and opinions to ensure the strictest measures permitted by law are taken against the suspect, and a disposition from the prosecution is expected soon. We emphasize that the act of spreading false information that damages an artist’s reputation and social standing is a crime that should not be overlooked. Settlement or leniency will not be considered regarding such matters. 2. Procedure for Identifying Malicious X Accounts Regarding malicious X accounts that have persistently posted derogatory expressions and false information targeting SEVENTEEN members over a long period, a U.S. court granted the Section 1782 application submitted by our company last November. Accordingly, information disclosure procedures (Subpoena) against Google and X will proceed immediately through a U.S. law firm appointed by our company. Based on the identities obtained, we will take all necessary measures to hold the individuals fully accountable under the law. We explicitly state that we will respond firmly and consistently to any illegal activities to protect the rights and interests of our artists. 3. Response to Unauthorized Leaks of Artist Information We provide an update regarding cases where confidential information related to the artist’s unreleased albums and performances was leaked through anonymous online forums on multiple occasions. The court has recognized the suspect’s charges of leaking trade secrets, and a fine has been imposed and finalized. Leaking confidential information, such as unreleased content, is a clear criminal act that infringes on trade secrets and causes significant damage to the artist’s creative activities and the company’s business activities. We will continue to respond sternly to information leaks and do our best to fully protect the efforts and achievements of our artists. 4. Comprehensive Legal Action Against Malicious Posts and Comments This quarter, we have strengthened real-time monitoring across major domestic communities, music sites, and social media. As a result, we have secured evidence of a large number of high-level malicious posts, including mockery, derogatory remarks, sexual harassment, distribution of false information, and coordinated distorted posts, which have been included in the current complaints. In particular, we are closely monitoring habitual offenders who persistently and repeatedly post malicious content, as well as accounts that intentionally spread distorted information targeting specific members. We will continue to hold individuals legally accountable to the end through persistent and repeated evidence collection and filing of criminal complaints. 5. Guidelines for Submitting Fan Reports Your reports are invaluable for our legal response to protect the artists’ rights. If you encounter malicious posts, please report them through the “HYBE Artist Rights Violation Report Website (https://protect.hybecorp.com).” To ensure that reports can be used as evidence, we recommend submitting a full PC screen capture or a PDF file that clearly shows the URL, post content, username, posting date, and capture date. Additionally, defamation, the spread of false information, and speculation about the personal lives of artists currently fulfilling their military service faithfully can cause serious harm to the artist personally and negatively impact their service environment. We are monitoring such types of posts with extra care and taking immediate legal action when necessary. Please note that while the reports you send are actively used to protect artists’ rights, their utility may be limited if the submitted materials are inaccurate. We are deeply grateful for your continued trust and reports. We respond to all acts that infringe upon the rights of our artists based on a zero-tolerance policy. We will continue to do our best to protect all of our artists, including those currently serving in the military. Thank you.
