The uploader of the purported dating photos of BLACKPINK’s Jennie and BTS’ V took a stand amid police investigation.
On Oct. 3, YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK’s agency, finally broke its silence on the online publication of Jennie’s photos.
YG Entertainment did not directly identify which photos it was referring to but photos of Jennie and V together have been released online in the past months. In May, a photo of Jennie and V together in a car in Jeju Island circulated online.
Photos of Jennie alone were also uploaded. Other photos include the two allegedly at V’s house and in several places in Jeju Island.
“We are sharing that we have officially requested the police to investigate the original distributor of BLACKPINK JENNIE's personal photos. YG has been continuously monitoring the relevant content, and after collecting information, we submitted a complaint last September,” said YG Entertainment, SBS News reported.
It added, “In order to minimize further damage, YG has refrained from commenting and expressing our stance (regarding the situation). However, the recent mass production of rumors, accusations, personal attacks, sexual harassment, and invasion of privacy sparked by the personal photos have been occurring indiscriminately, so we felt a sense of responsibility, making it difficult for us to overlook this any longer. Therefore, we want to reveal that we are in the process of taking a legal action, and we want to correct the situation.”
“YG is taking strong legal action against posts that are tarnishing the character and reputation of our agency artist. We inform you that we have filed a complaint for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, violation of the prohibition of illegal information distribution, and obscene use of communication media for the actions of repeatedly uploading information that has not been verified to be true and writing excessively malicious posts,” the agency said.
According to YG, “We plan on taking all legal action without any leniency for further harm that occurs afterwards. The photos that have circulated online were revealed illegally; regardless of JENNIE's personal intentions. The act of sharing (the photos) is not only a secondary offense, but it is also subject to legal punishment―so we sincerely ask that you avoid this indiscriminate sharing. YG Entertainment will continue to work hard to protect the rights of the agency's artist. Thank you.”
The uploader of the photos, who uses the name “Gurumi Haribo,” have been urging HYBE, BTS’ parent company, and YG Entertainment, to comment on the purported dating photos of Jennie and V, saying that their relationship is true.
Regarding the police investigation, the uploader posted on Oct. 4, “Jennie and Taehyung are very much real, Thanks, and this is not the end.”
“Inactive until I get sued or the companies speak against me,” the uploader added.
The uploader previously said, “A quarterly statement was released today, same as the end of every March, June, September and December. It did not specify what rumors, against who and is generally very vague. Also, I have not received any legal notice from anyone.”
“Also I mentioned before, if somebody wants to sue me for defamation and/or spreading untruths, I will be willing to provide relevant evidence of my claims under the name of the law, so that a fair and UNBIASED truth will be revealed. And: During the time the pictures I shared were taken, Taehyung and Jennie have been on these dates together. This is something that I will state again as this is the truth,” Gurumi Haribo said.