The court has partially accepted the motion for a 'deletion of video posts and prohibition of posting' put forth by Mukbang YouTuber Jjuyang against Gaseyeon and Gaseyeon representative Kim Se-yi, stating that it constitutes an invasion of privacy. Recently, Gaseyeon has also revealed the private life of actor Kim Soo-hyun, making this court decision even more noteworthy.
On the 17th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 51 (Director General Park Sang-eon) made a partial acceptance decision regarding Jjuyang's motion for a 'deletion of video posts and prohibition of posting' against Gaseyeon and Gaseyeon representative Kim Se-yi. In other words, the court accepted the applicant's request for temporary protection, preserving the relevant rights or status. This effectively means that Jjuyang has gained the upper hand against Gaseyeon.
This issue stemmed from Gaseyeon and Kim Se-yi's disclosure in July of last year, claiming that Jjuyang was threatened by YouTuber Ggujaeok (real name Lee Jun-hee) and others, while releasing related transcripts. They claimed to have been threatened due to Jjuyang's past employment in the entertainment industry. Afterward, Jjuyang revealed that they worked in the entertainment industry due to violence and coercion from a former boyfriend, but Kim continued to broadcast claims suggesting that Jjuyang's explanation was 'not true.' Despite Jjuyang's clarification, Kim posted videos randomly. Jjuyang profited from viewing numbers of provocative videos, packaging it as the public's 'right to know.'
In response, Jjuyang filed a lawsuit against Kim for violations of the Stalking Punishment Act, threats, and coercion. The police made a non-submission decision regarding Kim in February due to insufficient evidence. However, the prosecution accepted Jjuyang's objection and requested supplementary investigations. And on the 17th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 51 (Director General Park Sang-eon) ruled that 'the content is sufficient to lower Jjuyang's social value and evaluation and infringes upon matters that should be protected as secrets of private life. Posting this on a YouTube channel accessible to an unspecified majority goes beyond the scope of legitimate rights,' thereby partially accepting Jjuyang's motion for a 'deletion of video posts and prohibition of posting' against Gaseyeon and Gaseyeon representative Kim Se-yi.
The noteworthy point of this court decision is the content stating that 'it infringes upon matters that should be protected as secrets of private life.' The Gaseyeon side has randomly revealed the private lives of not only Jjuyang but also actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron, which has generated controversy. In early March, for about a month, the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron claimed through the YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute' (hereinafter referred to as 'Gaseyeon') that Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time, was in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun for six years starting in 2015. They have continued to reveal evidence, including photographs of skinship taken with Kim Soo-hyun when Kim Sae-ron was a minor, as well as letters and KakaoTalk messages exchanged during that time.
In response, netizens expressed cautious reactions such as, 'Are the videos and photos being exhumed real?' and, 'I worry another case like the late Lee Seon-kyun will arise,' while stating that 'the problem is the invasion of privacy,' and suggesting, 'For now, let's maintain neutrality.'
Currently, Gaseyeon, which has faced court sanctions for unlawfully disclosing Jjuyang's private life, has drawn criticism for exposing actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron's past private lives and disclosing the deceased's private records as a minor. Given that the court has clearly recognized the invasion of privacy in Jjuyang's case, attention is focused on whether Gaseyeon will face additional legal responsibilities regarding future reports related to Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron. Moreover, it could serve as a wake-up call against 'cyber wreckers'-style disclosures.
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