IVE member Jang Wonyoung. Yonhap News

The operator of the YouTube channel ‘Talduksuyongso’, who disseminated malicious defamatory videos targeting celebrities including IVE member Jang Wonyoung to generate revenue, has had a suspended prison sentence finalized.

On the 29th, the Second Division of the Supreme Court (Presiding Justice Kwon Young-joon) dismissed the appeal and affirmed the lower court ruling against the operator A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation).

From October 2021 to June 2023, A was brought to trial on charges including uploading 23 false videos slandering seven people such as entertainers and influencers to the YouTube channel he operated, Talduksuyongso. He was found to have produced and distributed false and defamatory videos, including claims such as “Jang Wonyoung, out of jealousy, caused a fellow trainee’s debut to fall through” and “Other well-known figures engaged in prostitution or had plastic surgery.” The revenue he obtained from these videos reportedly totaled about 250 million won over roughly two years. A is said to have used this income to purchase real estate and other assets. Following the controversy, the channel has been deleted.

Previously, the court of first instance sentenced A to two years in prison with a three-year suspended sentence, ordered forfeiture of 210 million won, and mandated 120 hours of community service. A appealed, but in November last year the appellate court also dismissed the appeal, finding the sentence not unjust.