Jennie’s agency, OA Entertainment, has officially announced that it will take strong civil and criminal legal action without leniency against maliciously manipulated videos and false information that rapidly spread online following her performance at ‘Summer Sonic 2026’ in Chiba, Japan. Recently, videos depicting or edited to make it appear as though part of Jennie’s body was exposed due to a wardrobe issue while she was performing began circulating on social media and online communities, sparking controversy. In response, the agency has begun collecting evidence under a zero-tolerance policy through professional legal representatives. The announcement of legal action comes alongside Jennie’s own comments following a microphone malfunction during her Osaka performance, reflecting the agency’s firm commitment to thoroughly protecting the artist’s personal rights and privacy. On August 18, OA Entertainment posted an official statement through its official channels titled “Legal Action Notice Regarding Agency Artist JENNIE.” The agency stated, “We have recently identified ongoing misconduct targeting the artist (JENNIE) across online communities and social media platforms. This includes the spread of baseless defamatory statements and false information, the malicious editing or manipulation of her photos and videos, and the posting or distribution of content that infringes upon her privacy and personal rights.” It continued, “In cooperation with a legal counsel, we are continuously monitoring and collecting evidence regarding related posts and accounts, while actively pursuing civil and a criminal legal complaint against severe violations..” The agency also clearly outlined the types of illegal activities that will be targeted.
These include intentionally editing or manipulating Jennie’s physical appearance, repeatedly posting and distributing specific portions of photos or videos without authorization, and spreading content that combines insulting language with false information. The agency made it clear that it intends to take active legal action in such cases, emphasizing, “We explicitly state that there will be no settlement or leniency under any circumstances during this process.” The agency added that it is reviewing relevant materials based on reports from fans and will respond systematically to ensure that neither the artist nor her fans suffer harm through an ongoing monitoring system. The controversy can be traced directly to the aftermath of Jennie’s performance at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba, Japan, on August 14. Jennie headlined the music festival and performed a solo set lasting approximately one hour. After the performance, footage from the show began spreading across various social media platforms and online communities. Some of the videos contained scenes in which Jennie’s outfit appeared to shift, creating the impression that part of her body had been exposed, prompting a rapidly escalating controversy. Online discussions became divided between claims that an actual wardrobe malfunction had occurred on stage and speculation that the footage had been sophisticatedly manipulated using artificial intelligence or other editing technologies. Amid the ongoing controversy, Jennie also encountered an unexpected incident during her Osaka performance on August 16. Her microphone malfunctioned during the performance, and footage from the venue showed Jennie checking the microphone herself and appearing to communicate the situation to staff. After completing all of her scheduled performances, Jennie shared a brief reflection on her account, writing, “There were so many unexpected moments, and there were many good moments and difficult moments,” adding, “Not everything can be perfect.” Meanwhile, illegal videos that manipulate or distort an artist’s body are clearly classified as criminal acts under current law. According to cybercrime statistics compiled by the National Office of Investigation under the Korean National Police Agency, the number of cases involving the production and distribution of fabricated videos using artificial intelligence technologies, including deepfakes, surged from 156 cases in 2021 to 1,202 cases in 2024, showing a clear year-over-year increase. Manipulated videos targeting high-profile celebrities have the structural characteristic of causing exponentially greater harm because they can spread through social media algorithms and accumulate millions of views within a short period of time. Data on digital sex crime information reviewed by the Korea Communications Standards Commission also shows that blocking measures against manipulated videos that subtly alter celebrities’ faces or bodies have accumulated in the tens of thousands each year since 2024.
