'Taldeok Prison Camp' Channel Owner Shows No Remorse in BTS Compensation Lawsuit... Claims "Excessive Compensation Amount"

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The Seoul Western District Court held a second hearing on October 25 in the civil compensation lawsuit filed by BigHit Music and BTS members V and Jungkook against Taldeok Prison Camp channel operator A.

They are seeking 90 million KRW in damages.

In stark contrast to the apology shown in a previous criminal trial, A protested strongly, claiming the compensation amount was excessive.

BigHit Music's attorney argued, "The prosecution’s findings confirm that the defendant’s channel operated as a 'cyber lecca' [cyber hyena].

The videos produced spread falsehoods and defamed the plaintiffs, thereby violating their portrait and personal rights, and interfering with BigHit Music’s operations."

In response, Taldeok Prison Camp's legal counsel asserted, "Liability for damages is hard to justify, and even if it is recognized, the compensation amount is excessively high."

The defense also denied any link to HYBE's stock price fluctuations and countered copyright infringement claims.

This position contrasts sharply with A's display of remorse at the Incheon District Court criminal trial on October 23, where A read an apology letter expressing regret, saying, "I am deeply sorry for the pain caused to the victims."

However, in the civil trial, A displayed a notably different attitude.

The prosecution has requested a four-year prison sentence and restitution of approximately 211 million KRW.

The prosecution argued, "The defendant insulted the victims five times, actively posting defamatory videos with false information."

They further urged consideration of "the continuous nature of the crimes and the paid membership model that involved persistent exploitation of the victims’ appearance, personality, and personal relationships."

During the first trial hearing, BigHit Music argued that Taldeok Prison Camp had spread provocative rumors and exaggerated issues, while A's side insisted that it was merely opinion-sharing for the public’s benefit.

A's defense even presented past articles and statements from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as evidence that videos related to BTS’s alleged chart manipulation were not false.

However, BigHit Music countered that these documents were irrelevant to the main issue.

This case has drawn significant attention as it highlights the severity of malicious online content targeting K-pop artists.

In particular, the defamation and misinformation spread for profit raises concerns over the impact on the entertainment industry.

Legal experts expect this case’s ruling to set a crucial precedent for future cyber defamation cases.

It is anticipated to provide a guideline on the legal responsibilities and compensation requirements related to defamatory actions on social media and online platforms like YouTube.

Depending on the trial's outcome, stricter legal measures against defamation and misinformation targeting celebrities could be established, potentially leading to increased accountability among online content creators.