SM Entertainment Announces A New Multi-Step Plan To Protect Its Artists

SM Entertainment is proceeding with its launch of SM 3.0, and recently co-CEOs Lee Sung Soo (also known as Chris Lee) and Tak Young Jun released another video addressing fans’ questions and concerns.

Tak Young Jun and Lee Sung Soo | *SMTOWN/YouTube*

First, the co-CEOs addressed one of the most popular questions they receive from fans.

Many fans often asked, ‘Why doesn’t SM file complaints about slander against artists?‘ and ‘When will SM file complaints?‘ through my social media.

— Lee Sung Soo

But the co-CEOs explained that fans simply were not aware of the action SM Entertainment has taken for its artists.

SM has been steadily filing complaints working with law firms for illegal activities informed via e-mail or detected through separate monitoring. However, we understand that our fans must have been very frustrated because they couldn’t know exactly how those reports were handled and whether those who had posted malicious comments were punished.

— Lee Sung Soo

Still, as part of SM 3.0, SM Entertainment has a new multi-step plan for protecting its artists. First, to make reporting malicious comments more efficient, SM Entertainment is creating a website, “KWANGYA 119 (tentative name).”

In order to solve such issues, we will operate the website, ‘KWANGYA 119 (tentative name)’ from the first half of the year to receive reports and tip-offs in a more systematic way, and to proactively address illegal activities.

— Lee Sung Soo

Although the process will be “more systematic,” “there will be limitations” to the information SM Entertainment can share with fans.

Of course, there will be limitations.

For example, only the artist who filed a complaint can be notified of the judgment result under the current law, so it is difficult to inform fans of the progress right away.

However, we will try harder to find a better way and update you with developments.

— Lee Sung Soo

In addition to the website, SM Entertainment plans on developing “an AI function” to prevent the spread of “fake news online.”

Second, we plan to introduce an AI function that can filter out fake news online. To implement the function, we are preparing partnerships with technology companies.

— Lee Sung Soo

SM Entertainment also addressed how they plan to protect their artists “on social network and platforms.”

For SM 3.0, the co-CEOs hope to work closely with social networks and platforms “to limit the activities of malicious users.” Tak Young Jun admitted that they have struggled to block malicious users in the past since it is possible to continue to create new accounts “infinitely.”

We will ask for close cooperation from the companies that operate social networks or platforms to seek ways to limit the activities of malicious users.

For example, as an opposite concept of the celebrity certification ‘blue badge,’ a ‘red badge’ can be considered. Users who have been restricted from commenting more than ten times due to slander or abusive language are given a red badge and their activities can be blocked.

We will share various ideas like the red badge to find fundamental solutions, effectively convincing the platform companies to do their part, not being just bystanders anymore.

— Tak Young Jun

Finally, the co-CEOs voiced their desire to work to ensure that netizens who leave malicious comments that lead to “extreme psychological pain” for artists will “be strictly punished.”

Last but not least, despite the extreme psychological pain that artists suffer due to malicious content, proper punishment is rarely executed. I personally take it very serious that, while Penal Code regulates such malicious content may be sentenced to imprisonment, still it is sentenced with nothing but the monetary penalty only. We will raise awareness about malicious content and comments together with various organizations, partners, and advisory organizations, and strive to make sure serious criminal acts that cause fatal damage to artists to be strictly punished.

— Tak Young Jun