In a frightening parallel to the drama "Phantom," also known as "Ghost," several female celebrities were recently horrified to find their names unjustly associated with an investigation into a prostitution ring.

In the drama "Phantom," a young actress apparently kills herself because she was rumored to have been a prostitute.

Fortunately, the actresses falsely accused in this incident chose a healthier response. They took legal action against those spreading the rumors and the cooperating Suwon Prosecutor's Office made a public statement to clear their names.

A list of 30 actresses was reported to have been circulating on the Internet and various versions existed. Depending on the version, the list might have included actresses Lee Da Hae and Kim Sarang and singer Sol Bi, and in some even more bizarre versions, Yoon Eun Hye, Kwon Min Joong and Go Ho Kyung. It was also rumored that comedian Jo Hye Ryun brokered meetings between female celebrities and rich men.

According to the prosecutor's office, three men and eight women were indicted without detention for prostitution or for setting up meetings between the women and wealthy men. Most of the women were aspiring actresses or singers but none of them could really be called celebrities. The broker was a man. Eight more celebrities were investigated, including two actresses, but their names were eventually cleared.

Comedian Jo Hye Ryun, understandably upset by the development, was one of several celebrities who asked police to investigate the netizens spreading the rumors. Making such negative statements online is a crime.

The police have already started their investigation.

"We have quickly processed the investigation so that the victims of false rumors will not be further hurt and can quickly repair the harm done to them," said a representative of the prosecutor's office.

The office also clarified the term "celebrity" as it applied to those women being investigated.

"Although it's true that some of the women involved in this ring have appeared in dramas or on broadcasts, it's not right to classify them as celebrities," said the representative. "Should we label a person who appeared once on a cable TV program three years ago as a celebrity?"

Another actress is still under investigation but the prosecutor's office said it is not anyone on the list nor anyone associated with the rumors.

"The celebrities mentioned are not involved with this investigation," said the representative, hoping to end the rumors once and for all.