'I Am Solo' contestant fined for defamation after exposing another co-contestant's alleged infidelity on social media

A former female cast member of the dating reality show 'I Am Solo' was fined for defamation after exposing another contestant’s private life on social media.

On July 9, Daegu District Court’s Criminal Division 10, led by Chief Judge Heo Jung In, sentenced a woman in her 30s (referred to as 'A') to a fine of 2 million KRW (approx. 1,460 USD) for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.

From November 16, 2023, to May 3, 2024, 'A' posted KakaoTalk conversations she had with a male contestant, 'B,' as well as messages 'B' exchanged with a third party, a total of four times. These posts, which included profanity, were uploaded to her social media without any edits.

'A' alleged that 'B' “had sex with another woman while in a relationship with me,” and shared the conversation as-is. It is reported that both A and B appeared on 'I Am Solo' during the same season.

In court, 'A' argued that she was stating facts and shared the content out of a desire to prevent other women from being sexually harmed, claiming her actions served the public interest.

However, the court disagreed, stating, “Publishing private KakaoTalk messages under real names and spreading them online goes far beyond what is socially acceptable, even if the victim (B) could be morally criticized.” The court added, “Considering the nature of defamation and the wide reach of social media, this cannot be deemed as serving the public good.”

The judge also noted that the sentencing took into account A’s financial difficulties and the fact that she acknowledged the facts of the case.