11/07/2025
Finally, South Korea Begins to Take Accountability for Invasive Media and Defamatory Accusations.
The recent developments in South Korea involving YouTuber Tzuyang and the legal actions she has taken against defamation and misinformation are sending a powerful message, not only for herself but for every public figure, including actor Kim Soo Hyun, who has been unjustly targeted by reckless media speculation and online harassment.
Tzuyang, a well-known mukbang creator, has officially filed a lawsuit demanding 195 million won in damages against attorney Kim So-yeon and other internet personalities, including YouTuber ‘Foo-Je-Yeok’ and a media operator surnamed Kim. This comes after a court previously granted a temporary injunction ordering parts of a defamatory video to be deleted and prohibited from being reposted. The video had accused Tzuyang of being involved with “Chinese forces,” giving false testimony in a criminal case, and even working at an adult entertainment venue, all without evidence. The court ruled that this content infringed on her privacy and damaged her public reputation.
This landmark case stands as a precedent-setting moment in Korean media accountability. For too long, content creators and self-proclaimed ‘journalists’ have used their platforms to spread unverified rumours under the guise of "freedom of speech," leaving their victims with deep psychological wounds and reputational damage. The fact that Tzuyang is now demanding proper damages shows a rising wave of resistance from public figures against malicious defamation.
This turn of events is particularly significant in the context of actor Kim Soo Hyun’s ongoing battle against false accusations. Similar to Tzuyang, Kim Soo Hyun has been the target of unsubstantiated claims, especially surrounding rumours that he dated actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. Despite the bereaved family of the case offering no proof, and with 25 South Korean media outlets now under scrutiny for spreading inflammatory, sexually charged narratives, the damage was already done. Kim Soo Hyun was mocked after his emotional press conference, with trolls and gossip channels fueling the fire based on anonymous “witnesses” and distorted timelines.
However, the public tide seems to be shifting. People are beginning to question: On what grounds was Kim Soo Hyun accused? Where is the evidence? Why were media houses allowed to amplify such serious allegations without fact-checking?
This is why Tzuyang’s lawsuit matters. It shows that legal action can be taken. It shows that courts do recognise emotional and reputational harm. And it provides a glimpse of hope that the reckless machinery of malicious entertainment reporting can finally be reined in.
What Tzuyang is doing is not just for herself, it is a step toward protecting the dignity of every Korean celebrity who has been dragged through the mud without justification. Kim Soo Hyun’s case deserves the same level of legal seriousness and ethical journalism. It is time for the justice system and society to stop treating baseless speculation as truth, and to restore the honour of those who’ve been unjustly vilified.
As Tzuyang’s case gains momentum, so does the growing demand for integrity in media and the right to personal dignity. South Korea is watching. The world is watching. And fans like us will continue to speak, trend, and fight until the truth wins.
TRUTH OVER TROLLS
Kim Soo-Hyun
