‘Jennie Explicit Video’ Original Poster Has Account Suspended… “There Will Be No Leniency”

[Sports Seoul | Reporter Kim Do-hyung] The account of SNS user A, who is known to have first uploaded a video exposing part of BLACKPINK Jennie's body, has been suspended.

As of the morning of the 19th, it was confirmed that A's account, which had uploaded the exposure video of Jennie, had been suspended. As a result, all videos previously posted by A, including the video of Jennie, became unavailable for viewing.

The Jennie video posted by A around the 15th had caused major controversy on social media, surpassing 12.5 million views within half a day of being uploaded.

Netizens who viewed the video at the time debated whether the video uploaded by A had been manipulated using AI. In fact, another video suspected of AI manipulation was also spotted among the posts uploaded by A.

Meanwhile, the problematic video continued to be shared and circulated online, including on social media. Vile malicious comments also continued to be generated.

In response, Jennie's agency OA Entertainment issued an official statement on the 18th, sternly warning that it would take legal action regarding the matter.

The agency stated, “We have continuously confirmed acts including groundless slander and the dissemination of false information about Jennie, as well as maliciously editing or manipulating the artist's photos and videos, or posting and distributing them in ways that infringe upon her privacy and personal rights,” suggesting that the controversial video was manipulated.

It continued, “While continuing to monitor related posts and accounts and collect evidence in cooperation with professional legal representatives, we are pursuing civil and criminal legal action against serious cases of infringement of rights and interests.”

If it is revealed that A actually manipulated the video using AI, A will face severe punishment under Article 14-2 of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (distribution of false videos, etc.).

Under Article 14-2 of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, anyone who, for the purpose of distribution or otherwise, edits or synthesizes a person's face or body against that person's will into a form that may cause sexual desire or shame is punishable by up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Even if A is a foreign national residing overseas, there is a sufficient possibility of punishment. This is because deepfake crimes are treated as serious felonies in most countries. Even if it is difficult for a Korean court to extradite A as a criminal, there is ample room to examine the relevant local laws and the possibility of international criminal judicial cooperation.

In addition, there have recently been precedents in which victims of malicious comments on social media, including singer Choi Si-won and YouTuber Gwa-je-se-yeon, successfully obtained information identifying the commenters through U.S. courts in the jurisdiction where the social media companies' headquarters are located.

Full Statement from the Agency

Hello.

This is OA Entertainment.

Recently, we have continuously confirmed acts centered on online communities and social media, including groundless slander and the dissemination of false information about our artist Jennie (JENNIE), as well as maliciously editing or manipulating the artist's photos and videos, or posting and distributing them in ways that infringe upon her privacy and personal rights.

We are taking these acts of infringing upon the artist's rights and interests extremely seriously. In cooperation with professional legal representatives, we are continuing to monitor related posts and accounts and collect evidence, while pursuing civil and criminal legal action against serious cases of infringement of rights and interests.

In particular, with respect to acts such as maliciously editing or reprocessing the artist's distinctive physical features, repeatedly posting, reposting, or distributing portions of particular photos or videos, or posting and distributing content combined with insulting expressions or false information, we intend to actively take the necessary legal measures depending on the content and severity of each case.

We clearly state that there will be no settlement or leniency whatsoever in this process.

The reports sent by our fans so far have been a great help in reviewing the relevant materials and protecting the artist's rights and interests.

If you discover related cases in the future, as you have done until now, please report them to the agency, and we will review them carefully.

We will continue to take all necessary measures so that both the artist and our fans can live in a safe environment.

Going forward, through continuous monitoring and systematic responses, we will do our utmost to ensure that not only the artist but also the fans who love the artist do not suffer harm.

Thank you.