IVE’s Jang Won-young shine brightly under constant public scrutiny, the dark underbelly of anonymous online harassment continues to rear its head. On May 11, 2026, Starship Entertainment issued a powerful update reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance, filing fresh criminal complaints against dozens of accounts spreading defamation, deepfakes, sexual harassment, and invasive rumors about the members particularly highlighting the relentless attacks on Jang Won-young.
The agency’s statement pulls no punches: “Such conduct is clearly unlawful and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.” They’ve gathered evidence from platforms including X (formerly Twitter), DC Inside, Naver Blog, Instagram, YouTube, and more over 70 accounts partially listed, with specifics like DC Inside users “과속라” and others, plus X handles and YouTube channels. Crucially, even deleted posts, private accounts, or username changes won’t shield perpetrators; Starship has preserved the digital trails and is pursuing both criminal and civil remedies aggressively.
Expert Take: Entertainment lawyer and K-pop industry analyst Ji-hye Park notes, “Agencies like Starship are evolving. With deepfake laws tightening and police securing warrants faster, we’re seeing real deterrence. But it’s a reminder that fans play a huge role reporting responsibly helps more than speculation.” Data from recent years indicates top idols endure hundreds of malicious posts monthly, driving agencies to file hundreds of lawsuits annually.
For Dive (IVE’s fandom), this update brings relief and hope. It underscores that behind the glamour, these young women deserve protection to focus on their craft and personal growth. Starship’s proactive monitoring, combined with fan tips, signals a united front.
""Hello, this is STARSHIP Entertainment. We are continuously monitoring and taking legal action against individuals who create and distribute malicious content targeting our artist JANG WON YOUNG. We have been notified by law enforcement officers that investigations concerning our ongoing lawsuits are underway. Officers are actively working to identify suspects and secure incriminating evidence. In particular, law enforcement officers are in the process of obtaining warrants to gather user information for domestic platforms, including Naver Blog and DCinside. Officers are also pursuing international cooperation procedures to identify authors and secure relevant information for overseas platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). We are continuously gathering evidence of conduct and online content that infringes upon the rights of our affiliated artists, both through fan reports and our own monitoring efforts. We are taking the strongest legal action possible, including the filing of criminal and civil cases, against any confirmed cases of criminal conduct. This includes any acts of defamation, insult, sexual harassment and humiliation, dissemination of false information, and invasion of privacy that target our artists. In addition, we continue to monitor actions that infringe upon the rights of not just JANG WON YOUNG, but all of our artists. We intend to utilize any evidence gathered to pursue the strongest possible legal action, regardless of any efforts to conceal malicious activity. This includes the deletion of posts, deactivation of accounts, and the switching of accounts to private. We sincerely appreciate your continued interest and reports concerning this matter. Thank you."
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