Starship Entertainment Updates on Legal Action Against Online Harassment of IVEs Jang Won-Young

Starship Entertainment released a statement on June 18 announcing that law‑enforcement authorities are actively investigating the malicious posts that have targeted IVE member Jang Won‑Young. The agency said police are working to identify suspects and secure evidence, and that warrants are being obtained to collect user data from domestic platforms such as Naver Blog and DCinside. The company is also pursuing international cooperation to obtain information from overseas services, including X (formerly Twitter).

In its statement, Starship emphasized that it is monitoring the spread of defamatory, insulting, or harassing content and is prepared to file criminal and civil cases against anyone who publishes false or harmful material about its artists. The agency noted that it will use the evidence gathered to delete offending posts, deactivate accounts, and enforce privacy protections. The update follows a series of complaints from fans and the agency’s own monitoring that identified a wave of posts accusing Jang Won‑Young of misconduct and spreading rumors.

Jang Won‑Young, born August 31 2004, is a South Korean singer and the youngest member of the six‑member girl group IVE, which debuted under Starship Entertainment in December 2021. She first rose to prominence as the winner of Mnet’s survival show Produce 48 in 2018, which formed the project group IzOne. After IzOne disbanded in 2021, Jang Won‑Young joined IVE, where she has contributed to the group’s rapid commercial success, including multiple chart‑topping singles and a record‑breaking first‑week sales figure for the group’s 2023 studio album I’ve Ive.

Starship Entertainment, founded in 2008 and acquired by Kakao Entertainment in 2013, manages several high‑profile K‑pop acts such as Monsta X, WJSN, and Cravity, in addition to IVE. The company has a history of taking legal action against defamation and copyright infringement, and it maintains a dedicated team that monitors online content for potential violations of its artists’ rights.

South Korean law treats defamation, harassment, and the dissemination of false information as criminal offenses. The Criminal Act and the Act on the Prevention of Online Harassment provide for criminal penalties and civil remedies when a person publishes or distributes defamatory content. In recent years, the Korean government has increased cooperation with domestic platforms to remove harmful content and identify perpetrators, and it has also sought assistance from foreign platforms to address cross‑border defamation cases.

The agency’s statement highlighted that the investigation is not limited to domestic posts. By requesting warrants for data from X, Starship is following a legal framework that allows Korean authorities to request user information from foreign services when the content violates Korean law. This approach has been used in other high‑profile cases involving Korean celebrities who have faced harassment from overseas audiences.

Industry observers note that the agency’s proactive stance may influence how other Korean entertainment companies handle online harassment. While the legal framework remains the same, the speed and breadth of investigations can vary. Starship’s public update signals a willingness to use all available legal tools to protect its artists.

At this time, Starship has not named any specific individuals or provided details about the content that prompted the investigation. The agency confirmed that it will continue to gather evidence and pursue legal action as necessary. Fans and industry analysts will likely monitor the case for developments, including any court filings or statements from law‑enforcement officials.

The agency’s update underscores the growing importance of online reputation management for K‑pop artists and the role of entertainment companies in safeguarding their talent against digital harassment. As the legal process unfolds, Starship will likely release further statements if new evidence or court decisions become available.