SM Entertainment backs BoA, reports online trolls to police

The agency said Wednesday that it collected multiple cases of rumors, hateful comments, sexual harassment and more through its online monitoring system dubbed Kwangya 119 and filed them to the police through its legal attorney at Shin & Kim LLC.

Singer BoA on March 4 in central Seoul during boy band NCT Wish's debut showcase [YONHAP]

SM Entertainment reported malicious commenters and YouTubers targeting singer BoA to the police, vowing to take continuous measures to protect its artists against online attacks.

The K-pop agency said Wednesday that it collected multiple cases of rumors, hateful comments, sexual harassment and more through its online monitoring system dubbed Kwangya 119 and filed them to the police through its legal attorney at Shin & Kim LLC.

Many of the posts were uploaded on DC Inside, according to SM Entertainment, along with other well known websites such as YouTube, MLB Park, Instiz, Nate Pann, TheQoo and the Women's Generation cafe on Daum.

"We are preparing to take firm legal measures against malicious posts and rumors being spread through online forums and short-form content platforms," SM Entertainment said in a press release.

"We are also seeking cooperation with overseas investigative forces to use against platforms that are based in other countries, which our domestic authorities struggle to investigate."

The company will continue to strengthen its protective measures for its artists, SM Entertainment said.

Singer BoA in a concert on Dec. 10, 2023 [NEWS1]

SM Entertainment warned it would take strong measures to protect BoA earlier this month after she hinted at retiring due to hardships she has been enduring throughout her career, especially after the negative feedback from her recent appearance in the tvN drama series "Marry My Husband."

She was criticized for her appearance and her acting skills. “Marry My Husband” was BoA’s first drama in eight years.

“I can now retire after my [current] contracts are over, right?” BoA said in an Instagram story on April 6, adding that she would “try [her] best as singer BoA until the contract expires in December 2025.”

She expressed her thoughts on the matter multiple times in recent months, including in an interview with cable network Channel A, during which she asked people to “respect idols as human beings.”

She added that “many use celebrities as a way to vent their anger.”

BoA debuted in 2000 at the age of 13 under SM Entertainment, with “ID: PEACE B.” She garnered considerable popularity around Asia, especially in Japan, stepping into the overseas music scene at a young age.

To find out more about BoA, visit Celeb Confirmed

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]