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| ▲ Kang Daniel, K-pop singer and CEO of KONNECT Entertainment, appears on this photo provided by the agency on May 24, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- The operator of the YouTube channel "Taldeok Camp" has been fined 10 million won for defaming singer Kang Daniel by posting false videos. On the 11th, Judge Lee Jun-gu of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Park (35) for violating the Information and Communications Network Act.
This sentence is heavier than the 3 million won fine the prosecution initially requested during the final trial on August 12. The court stated that Park uploaded provocative content about a famous celebrity to YouTube for financial gain, causing potentially irreparable damage to Kang Daniel and his agency, stressing the need for severe punishment.
Park had argued that his videos were created for public interest. However, the court dismissed this claim, noting that the channel name itself ("taldeok," which refers to the act of leaving a fandom) indicates an intent to produce negative content to encourage fans' withdrawal. Moreover, Park failed to provide evidence for the video's claims, leading the court to conclude that he was aware the content was false.
The charges stem from a 2022 video titled "The promiscuous private life of the nation's boyfriend, actor, and idol," which aimed to defame Kang Daniel. Initially, Park was charged in summary proceedings in November last year, but the case was referred to a full trial by the court.
In addition to the Kang Daniel case, Park has been separately indicted for defaming other celebrities, including IVE's Jang Wonyoung, in a series of 23 videos between October 2021 and June 2023. In January, a court ordered Park to pay 1 billion won in damages to Jang Wonyoung. BTS members V and Jungkook also filed a defamation lawsuit against Park in March.
Kang Daniel’s agency, ARA Entertainment, revealed that they have filed a 1 billion won civil lawsuit against Park. The agency emphasized that while they are satisfied with the legal outcome, the two-year process has caused significant emotional distress for the artist and his fans, vowing to pursue strict legal actions to hold Park accountable.
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