[Full Text] SEVENTEEN in 'Military Service Gap' Finally Takes Action: "No Leniency for Trivializing Military Service"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Pledis Entertainment, the agency of idol group SEVENTEEN, is set to take legal action against defamatory remarks targeting its members who are currently serving in the military.

On the 2nd, Pledis Entertainment, SEVENTEEN's agency, stated, "We have confirmed that malicious defamation, personal attacks, the spread of false information, and posts damaging reputation regarding our artists are spreading, centered on social networking services (SNS) and online communities. In particular, we are closely monitoring actions that distort facts using the artists' personal lives or military service as subjects, or that maliciously edit videos and images to demean and trivialize the artists." The agency emphasized, "Malicious mockery and defamation directed at members who are diligently fulfilling their mandatory military service obligations is a serious issue that not only damages their reputation but can also harm a stable military service environment."

The agency added, "We will strictly take civil and criminal legal measures against creators and distributors of malicious posts in accordance with a zero-tolerance principle without leniency or settlement. Even if posts or accounts are immediately deleted, lawsuits will proceed based on evidence secured in advance through real-time monitoring."

Currently, SEVENTEEN has entered a complete military service gap. Previously, starting with member Jeong Han's enlistment in September 2024, Wonwoo began alternative service in April 2025, and Woozi and Hoshi enlisted as active-duty army personnel on September 15 and 16, 2025, respectively. Following this, Vernon began alternative service on August 20, Do Kyung enlisted as an active-duty soldier on September 8, and Seungkwan and Dino enlisted as military band members in the army on October 26.

◆ Full Text of Pledis Entertainment's Official Statement

Hello.

This is Pledis Entertainment.

We maintain a policy of strong legal action against any actions that infringe upon the rights and interests of our artist, SEVENTEEN. We are informing you of the current status and future response policies regarding issues we have been intensively monitoring recently, as follows.

1. Strong Response to Malicious Defamation and Slander

We have confirmed that malicious defamation, personal attacks, the spread of false information, and posts damaging reputation regarding our artists are spreading, centered on SNS and online communities. In particular, we are closely monitoring actions that distort facts using the artists' personal lives or military service as subjects, or that maliciously edit videos and images to demean and trivialize the artists.

We recognize these actions as a serious issue that severely damages the artists' personality and reputation, and we are responding strictly. While conducting comprehensive monitoring and evidence collection regarding related posts and malicious comments, we plan to continue necessary strong responses, including civil and criminal legal action, for cases where illegality is confirmed.

In particular, we are collecting evidence from multiple angles and formulating legal response plans for accounts that produce or distribute content with the purpose of defaming artists through platforms such as X and Instagram. Please be informed that legal measures can proceed based on already secured evidence materials through real-time monitoring, even if posts or accounts are deleted.

Malicious mockery and defamation directed at members who are diligently fulfilling their mandatory military service obligations is a serious issue that not only damages the artists' reputation but can also harm a stable military service environment. To protect the rights and interests of our artists, we plan to respond strictly in accordance with a zero-tolerance principle without leniency or settlement, not only against initial creators and posters but also against malicious distributors of defamation and reputation-damaging actions.

2. Guidance on Evidence Collection by Platform and Reporting

We are constantly collecting malicious posts from major online communities and SNS through our own real-time monitoring system. Along with this, the valuable reports sent to us by fans through the 'HYBE Artist Rights Infringement Reporting Site' are greatly helping in legal actions for the artists.

To ensure that more prompt and accurate legal review of malicious posts can be conducted, we recommend submitting full PC screen captures or PDF files (files saved as PDF via the print menu) where the URL, poster name, post content, and posting/capture date and time are all clearly confirmed when reporting. Please refer to the platform-specific guidelines below.

* Online Communities [Naver, Daum (including cafes such as Women's Era, Jjukkbbang), Nate, DC Inside, Instiz, FM Korea, Thekku, etc.]

- Capture so that the post title, body, author nickname or ID, creation date and time, board name, and unique URL of the post are all confirmed.

- For malicious comments, capture so that the comment content, author information, creation date and time, and the URL of the original post are all confirmed together.

* X (formerly Twitter)

- Capture so that the post body, account name, unique account ID (@ID), posting date and time, and unique URL are confirmed.

- If images or videos are included, submit the corresponding image and video materials together.

* Instagram

- Capture so that the content of problematic posts, comments, stories, etc., account name (@ID), posting date and time, and unique URL are confirmed.

- If video content such as Reels is problematic, submit the problematic video file or screen recording file together.

- For content that becomes difficult to verify after a certain period of time, such as Stories, submit screen captures or screen recording files from that time.

We sincerely thank all fans who have always sent unwavering love and support to SEVENTEEN. In the future, we will prioritize the protection of our artists' reputation and rights and interests, and actively respond to protect our artists.

Thank you.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original