Song Ji-hyo is pushing back against allegations involving her father, with her agency warning it will take swift legal action against intimidation tactics.
On Nov. 21, Nexus ENM said through its counsel, Namsan Law Firm, that it recently received an email claiming a company run by the actor’s father is in default. The email included an inquiry and a banner mock-up reading, “Famous celebrity’s parent, known on TV for the ferry business,” among other materials, the agency said.
Nexus ENM argued the banner mock-up goes beyond a routine inquiry and could signal an intent to display it outside the company, harming Song’s reputation and disrupting normal business operations.
According to Namsan Law Firm, such conduct may constitute a criminal offense under Korean law. Even if framed as exercising one’s rights, warning of harm can be punishable when it exceeds what society deems acceptable or is not a reasonable means to a legitimate end, the firm noted. In its view, sending those materials to Nexus ENM―rather than to Song Ji-hyo’s father―crosses that line.
The firm also vowed a zero-tolerance approach going forward, stating that Nexus ENM will not sit by in the face of threats, pressure, or unfair acts that infringe on its artist’s rights or hinder the company’s legitimate business, and that it will pursue criminal complaints and civil damages if similar conduct is repeated.
- Full Statement From Song Ji-hyo’s Legal Representative -
Hello.
This is Namsan Law Firm, legal counsel to Nexus ENM Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Nexus ENM”).
Recently, Nexus ENM received an email discussing matters related to Ms. Song Ji-hyo’s father.
The email alleged that a company operated by Ms. Song’s father is in a state of default and attached materials including an inquiry and a banner mock-up that reads, “Famous celebrity’s parent, known on TV for the ferry business!” Sending such a mock-up goes beyond a mere inquiry and can be interpreted as an intention to install the banner in front of Nexus ENM to damage Ms. Song’s reputation and image and to disrupt the company’s normal business operations.
However, such conduct may constitute a criminal offense.
Courts have held that even when someone claims to be exercising their rights, notifying the other party of potential harm may be punishable if, in light of social and ethical norms, it exceeds what society deems acceptable or is not a reasonable means to achieve a legitimate purpose.
In line with this judicial stance, Nexus ENM views the act of sending such materials to Nexus ENM―rather than to Ms. Song’s father―as a clear criminal act that goes beyond what society can tolerate.
Nexus ENM has no intention of tolerating any form of threats, pressure, or unfair conduct that infringes on our artist’s honor and personality rights or interferes with the company’s normal business operations. Should the same or similar unlawful conduct be repeated, we will exercise every possible legal measure swiftly and rigorously, including filing criminal complaints and seeking damages.
Nexus ENM will continue to respond firmly to malicious actions that harm our artist’s activities and will not sit idly by.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)