According to the Korean media outlet Korea Times, Key East Entertainment has taken legal action against the approximately 30 netizens who spread malicious comments about actor Bae Yong Joon and his new wife actress Park Soo Jin.
In May, shortly after Bae announced his engagement, netizens began spreading rumors that it might be a shotgun wedding. At that time the agency warned that legal action might be taken against anyone spreading these false rumors. Key East stated that as a public figure, Bae Yong Joon is used to malicious comments but as these particular rumors were so plentiful and involved his fiancee, he did not want them to continue.
Key East Entertainment represents both Bae Yong Joon and Park Soo Jin, which is how they met in 2014. Bae Yong Joon is also a majority shareholder in the agency.
The couple's engagement announcement came as a surprise as many people only learned they were dating a few days prior to the May announcement. And they had only dated for a few months. When the engagement was announced, the couple said they planned to marry in the fall of 2015, but then pushed the date up to July 27. The rumors began spreading after the engagement announcement.
On August 18 the agency announced its intention to pursue legal action.
"A few critics with the same ID have continued to spread rumors about the wedding and there's no way we can sit back and let it be," said a statement issued by Key East. "We are going to deal with this legally and sue those who continue."
The agency said that defamation charges have so far been filed against 30 netizens and they will be aggressively pursued. There will be no settlement.
Bae Yong Joon became an international star when he appeared in the drama "Winter Sonata." That drama was so popular throughout Asia that it helped start the Hallyu or Korean wave. Bae Yong Joon was last seen in a drama when he played a small role in "Dream High."
Park Soo Jin debuted with the girl group Sugar and has appeared in a few dramas most notably as Park Shin Hye's frenemy in "Flower Boys Next Door." She currently hosts the cable show "Tasty Road," which features trendy restaurants.
