HYBE Takes Legal Action Against Operators of Accounts Illegally Trading Artists’ Flight Information

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On the 18th, HYBE announced that operators of social media accounts accused of illegally obtaining and trading flight information of their artists had been referred to the prosecutor’s office.

To combat the illegal trade of K-pop artists' flight information, HYBE formed a dedicated task force last year.

HYBE identified several SNS accounts engaged in trading this information and submitted evidence that could pinpoint the operators to the police.

Based on the evidence, the police conducted extensive domestic and international investigations.

They confirmed the charges against some suspects and referred the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation revealed that the suspects earned tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won by trading the artists’ flight information through chats or direct messages (DMs).

The illegally traded information was used to attempt close contact by boarding the same flights as the artists, leading to stalking behavior.

In some cases, it was used to change the artists' seats or in-flight meals without consent or to cancel flight reservations, disrupting schedules and causing harm to both the artists and the entertainment company’s operations.

This illegal trade of flight information has impacted the entire entertainment industry, with multiple idol groups and actors reporting similar issues beyond HYBE's artists.

HYBE stated,

“The illegal acquisition and trading of flight information endanger artists' safety and create anxiety. It is a clear illegal act that can cause serious safety issues in airports and airplanes. We will strictly adhere to a zero-tolerance policy, holding those responsible accountable without any agreements or leniency.”

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