IU

People spreading false allegations about IU were sanctioned, including an award of 30 million won in damages for a false plagiarism allegation and a fine of 5 million won for an espionage rumour.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is the victim

The drama 'Perfect Crown' faced strong backlash over historical symbols and terminology considered incompatible with Korean sovereignty; IU, the lead actress, apologised.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Shared responsibility

Following protests over ballot paper shortages during the June 2026 local elections, IU's account was flooded with mocking requests to pay for coffee and food for demonstrators.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

IU sought information from a US federal court to identify the anonymous author of 52 posts so that she could pursue defamation proceedings in Korea.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

After a fan who had been helped by a friend to buy a ticket was denied entry and expelled from the fan club, EDAM apologised for checks considered excessive and announced reforms.

State of the evidence

Documented

Football supporters called for IU's concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium to be cancelled, fearing further damage to the pitch following criticism from Son Heung-min.

State of the evidence

Documented

IU prepaid for food and drinks for fans attending a rally supporting the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, prompting calls to boycott brands she represented.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

'The Red Shoes' faced persistent allegations of similarities to Nekta's 'Here's Us'; the composers and agency denied plagiarism, while the dispute over communications between the parties resurfaced in 2023.

Attribution

Personally implicated

A complaint accusing IU of plagiarising six songs was dismissed in August 2023 on the grounds that the alleged acts did not constitute an offence; her lawyers pointed out that she had not composed the disputed passages.

IU's agency announced complaints against people spreading rumours portraying her, among other things, as a spy and against dozens of individuals circulating plagiarism allegations.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

Person targeted by the proceedings

people who spread rumours

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Threats of violence directed at IU prompted police visits to her home, her agency's offices and Kakao Entertainment; security was increased.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

IU's purchase of a building in Gwacheon prompted allegations of speculation and advance knowledge of the GTX route; her agency denied speculative intent and disputed the profits claimed.

The bonus track 'Twenty-Three' was accused of using an uncredited vocal sample from Britney Spears's 'Gimme More'; LOEN stated that it was checking the sample's origin and contacting the rights holders.

State of the evidence

Documented

IU faced strong criticism over the lyrics and interpretation of 'Zeze', which some considered to sexualise a five-year-old character; she denied that intention but apologised for hurting listeners.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A private photograph of IU with Eunhyuk was accidentally posted from her Twitter account, prompting rumours; LOEN apologised and described the two artists as close friends.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated