Jang Won Young of IVE Partially Wins Defamation Lawsuit Against YouTuber Sojang

Jang Won Young Secures Partial Victory in Defamation Case Against YouTuber Sojang

IVE’s prominent member, Jang Won Young, has achieved a partial victory in her appeal concerning a defamation lawsuit filed against YouTuber Sojang. The recent ruling from the 9-3rd Civil Appeals Division of the Seoul Central District Court reflects a significant development in the ongoing case.

Court Decision and Compensation Details

Initially, Jang sought damages amounting to 100 million won, but the court has reduced this figure to 50 million won, approximately 34,805 USD. The judges Yoon Jae Nam, Seon Ui Jong, and Jeong Deok Su presided over the hearing, concluding that Sojang, the individual behind the now-deleted YouTube channel ‘Tal-deoksu-yong-so,’ is liable for this compensation due to claims of defamation.

Context of the Defamation Allegations

The defamation allegations stem from a series of 23 videos published on the platform between October 2021 and June 2023. These videos reportedly contained falsehoods and slanderous remarks aimed at Jang and six other public figures. The lawsuit accused Sojang of fabricating serious claims against Jang, including unwarranted allegations of professional sabotage.

Specific Allegations Against Jang Won Young

Among the many disputed claims, Sojang asserted that Jang was uninvited to the Miu Miu fashion show and that she had worn pieces from a previous collection at the event. This was countered by Vogue Korea, which clarified that Jang was indeed invited and had donned outfits from an unreleased collection.

Adding to the controversy, Sojang made allegations regarding Jang’s family background, asserting that her grandparents were not of Korean nationality and implying Jang herself was not Korean. It’s important to highlight that Jang is, in fact, Korean and has Chinese ethnic roots.

Financial Implications and Investigative Findings

A thorough investigation by prosecutors revealed that Sojang earned a significant revenue of 250 million KRW (around $174,023) over two years, with portions allegedly used for property investments.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

In October 2023, Jang filed the lawsuit on grounds of defamation due to the misleading information propagated through the videos. Additionally, her agency, Starship Entertainment, has also pursued damages against Sojang, with the first trial still in progress.

In parallel criminal proceedings, Sojang has been indicted for defaming Jang and has received a sentence of two years’ imprisonment, followed by a three-year probation period. This verdict is currently under appeal, as the prosecution continues to seek justice for the allegations.

Jang Won Young’s case emphasizes the significance of accountability in digital content creation and highlights the potential repercussions of online defamation in the entertainment industry.

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