A group of K-pop fans have been reportedly sued by a North American tour organizer.

On an online forum, netizens discussed a series of lawsuits allegedly filed by J&B Entertainment against ONF fans for protesting and sending banners to the company following a tour they organized.

In July 2024, J&B faced heavy criticism for alleged misconduct, including offering exclusive benefits to a small group of fans via private KakaoTalk chatrooms, insulting the artists, and leaking comeback information, according to fans. In response, several ONF fans organized protests against the company, which included sending banners. 

Although J&B issued an apology last year, the company has now filed five lawsuits against fans, citing "spreading false information, defamation, and interference with business operations." Among those targeted was the ONF Gallery administrator on the online community forum DC Inside, who shared details of the legal battle in a public message.

A portion of the message from the ONF Gallery reads:

"J&B expressed its intention to file lawsuits against individuals involved in this campaign (staff and certain Twitter accounts, etc.), but in most cases, they were unable to identify specific individuals. However, in my case, I was notified during the police investigation process that the police had requested information from DC Inside. Through a request for information disclosure, I confirmed that a lawsuit had been filed against me.

As a result, I sought multiple rounds of legal consultation during the year-end period regarding J&B's lawsuits against the fandom.

Through free consultations with experts at the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, I learned that the lawsuit filed against me leaves no room for negotiation. It is a lawsuit solely intended to penalize me and demand damages. I was advised to hire a lawyer, and I plan to do so to respond to the police investigation and J&B’s court case.

This lawsuit is a rare case in the fandom world where a company that has clearly acted improperly is suing its fans. If I, as the representative (author of the banner campaign post), receive a guilty verdict such as imprisonment or a fine, it will set a precedent where phrases used on banners, trucks, or condolence wreaths could be grounds for lawsuits."

ONF’s fandom has launched a fundraiser to hire a lawyer. Fans argue that a guilty verdict in this case could create a "dangerous precedent," making it more difficult for fans to voice concerns through banners, trucks, or similar protests in the future.

Many fans have also accused ONF’s agency, WM Entertainment, of being complicit by allegedly sharing fan information with J&B and failing to protect both the fans and the artists.

Reactions from netizens and fans include:

"Wow, what was the agency doing in the middle of all this?"

"Does this lawsuit even have any merit? It feels like it’s just going to be dismissed."

"Are they out of their minds???"

"It’s one thing for the contractor, but I can’t understand how the agency just stood by and let this happen."

"They went to the contractor’s location for the banner protest! They couldn’t deliver the wreaths because it was pouring rain that day."

"Wow, the contractor must be super close with the agency."

"Huh? I’ve never heard of a truck campaign representative being sued before. And it’s not even the agency that’s suing but someone else?"

"If the defamation claim is for public interest purposes, it might not hold up. It depends on what the phrases were and how much the court sees them as contributing to public discourse."

"The group is about to make a comeback, and they’re still alive just to ruin things for everyone—so frustrating."

"Wow, isn’t this way too much to do to a fan?"

"Is WM planning to shut down as an agency or what? How can they just let this slide? Are they crazy?"

"They’re totally ruining the comeback."

"The agency must have lost its mind."

"Is the agency siding with the contractor and just turning a blind eye? Seriously?"

"What’s wrong with the agency??? If this case gets ruled on, it’ll set a precedent. I’ve never heard of anyone suing a banner campaign representative before."

"The contractor is awful, but the agency that chose them is just as bad. How long do I have to endure this infuriating agency while supporting the group...?"

"They posted an apology letter but are secretly badmouthing ONF fans to other fandoms, blocking ONF fans, and even suing them."

"Wow, this company is so scary I don’t think I can support their idols anymore."

"For them to go this far, their hardcore fans must be the ones spending tons of money on the group. And yet they’re suing those very fans?"

"I was just starting to like the group because of their music, but seeing the contractor’s mess made me back off. Every story about them is shocking, and it’s still like this... I just feel bad for the artists and their decent fans."

"They apologized, but now they’re suing fans behind the scenes??"

What are your thoughts?

SEE ALSO: ONF to make a comeback in February