[26.02.04] Kim Ho-joong Loses Most Anti-Fan Damages Lawsuit

Kim Ho-joong Loses Most of ₩7 Billion Lawsuit Against “Anti-Fans”

📍Serving prison sentence for DUI hit-and-run…Claims against 178 of 180 defendants dismissed

Singer Kim Ho-joong (34), who is currently serving a prison sentence of two years and six months for a drunk driving hit-and-run case, has lost most of a damages lawsuit worth more than ₩7 billion that he filed against 180 internet users referred to as “anti-fans.”

Singer Kim Ho-joong, currently serving a two-year and six-month prison sentence for drunk driving and hit-and-run, has mostly lost a damages lawsuit he filed against 180 netizens.

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🔹 Court dismisses damages claims against 178 defendants
According to legal sources on the 4th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 45 (Presiding Judge Nam Cheon-gyu) dismissed the damages claims filed by Kim Ho-joong against 178 of the 180 defendants, including Kang Mo. The court recognized liability for only two defendants, ordering each to pay ₩1 million in damages. The ruling was issued approximately four years and eight months after Kim filed the lawsuit.

🔹 ₩7.64 billion lawsuit filed in June 2021
Kim Ho-joong previously filed a lawsuit in June 2021 seeking a total of ₩7.64 billion in damages from 180 internet users, alleging that they had posted negative articles and comments about him online.

🔹 Claims of mental distress and damage to career
Kim’s legal team argued that malicious posts and comments caused him mental distress and negatively affected his entertainment career. However, they acknowledged that some defendants’ actions were not habitual and were limited to one-time postings. In particular, criticism arose that the claims were excessive, as even users who posted a single comment were included as defendants.

🔹 Court finds difficulty in recognizing illegal acts
The court comprehensively considered the content of the posts, the level of expression, and repetition, and recognized liability for only a small number of defendants. It ordered compensation only for the two individuals deemed to have repeatedly posted or used excessive expressions, while determining that the remaining defendants’ actions were difficult to classify as illegal acts.

🔹 Prison sentence finalized for DUI hit-and-run…Release scheduled for November
Meanwhile, Kim Ho-joong was indicted and detained for driving under the influence on May 9, 2024, along Apgujeong-ro in Gangnam District, Seoul, crossing the center line, colliding with an oncoming taxi, fleeing the scene, and instructing his manager to turn himself in on his behalf.

Both the first and second trials sentenced Kim to two years and six months in prison, and the sentence was finalized after he waived his right to appeal. Currently serving his sentence, Kim was included in the list of candidates for Christmas special parole review last December but was deemed ineligible. His scheduled release date is in November.

One-line summary : Singer Kim Ho-joong lost his damages lawsuit against 178 of 180 defendants accused of being anti-fans.