Virtual K-Pop Avatars Win Defamation Lawsuit in South Korea
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – In a landmark case, a South Korean court has ruled that virtual avatars can be defamed, siding with the agency of a K-pop boy band after online insults targeted their animated performers.
The Case Against Online Defamation
The lawsuit was brought by Plave’s agency, which represents the virtual K-pop boy band Plave. The agency argued that derogatory remarks posted on social media caused emotional harm to the real performers behind the digital avatars.
A local judge ordered the defendant to pay 500,000 won (about $360) in damages after finding that online insults aimed at the virtual band members equated to defaming the real people operating them, according to BBC.
Insults Against Avatars
Among the comments highlighted in court were claims that the people behind Plave’s avatars “could be ugly in real life” and that they gave off a “typical Korean man vibe.”
The defendant argued it was impossible to defame avatars because they are not real, and further claimed the insults were directed only at the virtual characters. But the judge rejected that argument, ruling that attacking the avatar equates to attacking the person controlling it.
Court’s Reasoning
“The avatar in the era of the metaverse is more than a virtual image, but a way of expression of the user, one’s identity and one’s way of communicating with society,” the court stated.
The ruling emphasized that since the identities of Plave’s performers are widely known, malicious comments targeting the avatars directly affected the real people behind them.
Industry Impact and Appeal
Plave’s agency, Vlast, had initially sought 6.5 million won per member but said it plans to appeal the damages amount. The company maintains that the case sets an important precedent in protecting artists, whether real or virtual, from online abuse.
Earlier this year, Vlast warned fans that “malicious comments, including insults and defamation, against Plave members, disclosure of artist personal information, and the spread of unfounded rumors” would be met with strict legal action, according to Weverse.
Cultural Significance
The case underscores the growing intersection of virtual entertainment and real-world law. As K-pop expands into digital avatars and metaverse performances, legal systems are grappling with how to address harassment directed at virtual figures that nonetheless represent real people.
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