SM says Karina and Winter deepfake sexual content was distributed; offender sentenced to prison [Official]

[Sportschosun Jung An-ji] A man identified as A, who created and distributed deepfake content targeting aespa members Karina and Winter, has been sentenced to prison.

On the 18th, SM Entertainment (SM) said that A, who produced deepfake videos of aespa members Karina and Winter and sold them for profit, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

The First Criminal Division of the Daegu High Court ordered A to serve the prison term, complete 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program, and face a seven-year ban on employment at institutions related to children and adolescents.

In response to the ruling, SM reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward crimes that violate artists' rights and said it would respond firmly. It explained, "We have collected thousands of pieces of evidence of malicious posts and comments across various online communities and social media platforms through fan reports and our own monitoring. Based on this, we filed complaints with investigative authorities, and investigations are already under way after the identities of multiple defendants were identified."

SM also said it is continuously gathering evidence of all criminal acts involving aespa, including the creation of malicious rumors, repeated spread of false information, sexually harassing posts, and the production and distribution of insulting or distorted content. After review, it plans to expand its complaints step by step.

Meanwhile, aespa released their second full-length album, "LEMONADE," on May 29 and proved their strong popularity by topping various global music and album charts.

▶ Full notice on the legal response status regarding aespa's Karina and Winter

Hello, this is SM Entertainment.

We would like to inform you that the defendant in the case involving the production and commercial sale of deepfake videos of our artists Karina and Winter has been found guilty and sentenced to two years and six months in prison, along with an order to complete 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and a seven-year employment ban at institutions related to children and adolescents.

We are closely monitoring fan reports and major domestic and overseas platforms, including theqoo, Instiz, X, DC Inside, Nate Pann, Bobaedream, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Ilbe Storage, FM Korea, Naver, and Daum. In particular, as announced last quarter, meaningful results continue to emerge in deepfake-related cases, including the one above.

We are also continuing to file complaints with investigative authorities against those who post malicious content and comments about our artists on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes, the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, and the Framework Act on Telecommunications.

We have already secured a large amount of evidence and, with the help of platform operators and institutions, are identifying anonymous posters. We make clear that we will respond firmly, without any leniency or settlement, to malicious rumors, the spread of false information, sexual harassment, mockery, and the production and distribution of distorted content.

We will continue to do our utmost in every way to protect the rights and interests of our artists.

Thank you.