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'It's jail time!': Fans of soloist IU rejoice after malicious troll maligning singer online gets arrested

Edam Entertainment released an update about the legal action taken against those harrassing their artists through online comments

It is a well-known fact that popular K-pop idols and Korean celebrities are subject to major trolling online. So much so, that comments from haters have adverse effects on the mental health of these celebrities. Over the past few years, K-pop artists like SHINee's Jonghyun and soloist Sulli, who faced malicious comments online, eventually ended up taking their lives unable to cope with stress of being an idol.

In order to avoid similar tragedies, agencies have started taking fiercer steps in order to protect their artists. Soloist IU's agency Edam Entertainment is being lauded for its dedication to its artists. On June 21, Edam Entertainment, the agency that manages the activities of IU (Lee Ji-eun) as well as actress Shin Se-kyung, shared an update about the ongoing legal proceedings against malicious commenters who have targetted IU since 2019.

The label released an official statement alerting fans and the general public about the serious consequences in store for these trolls. They also shared that going forward, malicious commenters will face severe charges, including jail time, if they continue to harrass their artists online with their posts.

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Edam Entertainment sends IU's malicious commenters to jail

In their post, Edam Entertainment stated that they had been providing evidence against the perpetrators who habitually posted insults, personal attacks, and malicious posts against soloist IU since the year 2019 on her various social media accounts. The label said, "We collected the data and filed a complaint with the investigation agency a law firm." They added that in relation to the complaint, Edam was also working with an investigative agency for a long time in order to arrest the perpetrator. Edam Entertainment stated that they have finally become successful in finding the perpetrator after all these years.

Edam stated, "After that, all the crimes of the perpetrator were recognized through subpoena investigation, and as a result, the court judged that the offense was very poor, considering that the perpetrator's crimes were repeated for a considerable period of time." Due to this, the perpetrator of malicious comments against IU received a judgment of 8 months in prison and 2 years of probation. Not only that but the perpetrator also had to engage in 180 hours of community service and 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures on the count of violating the relevant laws including defamation against the K-pop star.

The label also shared that they were working on similar issues and were going to take follow-up measures to ensure that severe punishment can be obtained against other such trolls who threaten the safety of IU as well as their other artists. Edam Entertainment concluded their statement by saying, "We will do our best to protect the rights and interests of our artists so that no additional damage occurs, and we emphasize once again that we will respond more strongly without any leniency or agreement in the process."

'EDAM will send you to jail'

Fans are praising Edam Entertainment for protecting the safety of their artists. One fan said, "Oh EDAM really said JAIL TIME." One more fan said, "Edam sent someone to jail. they definitely know how to protect their beloved artists. i hope those people have a great time in jail." One fan guessed, "They started to collect the evidences since 2019 and only solved in 2022 :( it must be really hard for IU ,her fam , Edam but im thankful they never give up until now. Imagine the haters watching her CFs in Jail." One fan declared, "No one can stop you from hating IU or not liking IU, no one can force you to love IU. but if you spread false rumors, spread hate by trying to attract IU in controversy, or sexually harass, EDAM will send you to jail."

Another fan said, "I admitted that Edam always did great job to protecting IU. Those haters need to be sue and jail. Because what they did is violation, crime and unacceptable." One more fan said, "Edam, i have never been proud of you guys like this in all my life "8 months jail two years probation'... IU's haters end up in prison." Another fan said, "Oh wow edam really got them haters locked up in jail..we smile!" A fan said, "8 months jail two years probation'... IU's haters literally end up in prison. Good job @edam_ent @_IUofficial And please @ YGE please take note from Edam. This how it should be done to haters."