SM Entertainment released an official update on its ongoing legal actions against deepfake-related crimes targeting their artists, confirming that multiple offenders have now received finalized prison sentences.
On April 10, the agency issued a statement outlining the progress of its legal measures against various forms of online abuse, including the spread of false information, defamation, sexual harassment, deepfakes, personal attacks, insults, and invasions of privacy.
The company emphasized that the creation, distribution, and possession of illegally fabricated obscene materials are malicious criminal acts that sexually humiliate and harm their artists. It also stated that such acts can damage reputation by falsely suggesting real involvement. SM Entertainment said it has been cooperating with investigative authorities by collecting evidence, filing complaints, and requesting strict legal punishment through the courts.
According to the statement, a total of 12 individuals involved in deepfake-related crimes have been identified and prosecuted. Several defendants, including individuals surnamed Park, Lee, Go, Lee, Oh, and Cha, received prison sentences ranging from two years and six months to four years. Additional penalties include employment restrictions and mandatory sexual violence treatment programs. These cases were prosecuted under violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, specifically related to the distribution of fabricated videos.
SM Entertainment stated that although the defendants filed multiple appeals, all were dismissed and the sentences have been finalized. The convicted individuals are currently serving their prison terms.
The agency also warned that many perpetrators attempt to evade detection by distributing illegal deepfake content through anonymous overseas platforms. However, it added that it is working closely with multiple U.S. law firms to track and identify offenders, with further investigations ongoing and additional apprehensions being made.
SM Entertainment noted that legal penalties for deepfake-related crimes are being enforced more strictly and urged the public to exercise caution to avoid involvement in such illegal activities. The company also expressed gratitude to platforms that have cooperated with its efforts, including Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Discord, and DC Inside.
SM Entertainment concluded by reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of its artists through all available legal means.
"Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
We would like to provide an update on our ongoing legal actions.
Our company is currently taking strong legal measures against acts that cause serious harm to our artists, including the spread of false information, defamation, sexual harassment, deepfakes, personal attacks, insults, and invasions of privacy.
In particular, the creation, distribution, and possession of illegally fabricated obscene materials constitute not only malicious crimes that sexually humiliate and mock our artists, causing them severe distress, but also serious offenses that can lead to significant defamation and damage to their image by creating the false impression that the artist is actually involved. As such, we are actively cooperating with investigative authorities by collecting evidence and filing complaints, and we are also strongly petitioning the court for strict punishment.
As a result, most suspects involved in deepfake-related cases have been apprehended. A total of 12 individuals including Park (sentenced to 4 years in prison, 5 years of employment restriction, and 80 hours of sexual violence treatment program), Lee (3 years and 6 months in prison, 5 years of employment restriction, and 40 hours of treatment), Go (3 years in prison, 5 years of employment restriction, and 80 hours of treatment), Lee (3 years in prison, 5 years of employment restriction, and 40 hours of treatment), Oh (2 years and 6 months in prison, 5 years of employment restriction, and 40 hours of treatment), and Cha (2 years and 6 months in prison, 5 years of employment restriction, and 80 hours of treatment), and more have been sentenced to imprisonment under charges including violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (distribution of fabricated videos). While the defendants filed repeated appeals, all have been dismissed, and their sentences have been finalized; they are currently serving their prison terms.
Many perpetrators of deepfake crimes attempt to evade investigation by sharing illegal, fabricated, obscene materials through anonymous overseas social media platforms. However, our company is working closely with multiple U.S. law firms, and through investigative tracking, these individuals are being apprehended, with related investigations ongoing.
As criminal penalties for the creation, distribution, and possession of deepfakes are being enforced very strictly, we urge everyone to exercise caution to avoid becoming involved in such unlawful activities.
We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to platforms such as Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Discord, and DC Inside for their cooperation in these efforts.
We will continue to do our utmost to protect the rights and interests of our artists in every possible way. Thank you."
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