[Full Text] TS Entertainment "Sleepy, Spreading False Information" vs Sleepy "Will Settle Dispute Through Law"

TS Enter "Sleepy monopolized income from entertainment activities and advertising fees"
Sleepy "This issue can be resolved just by asking the former accommodation landlord"

Singer Sleepy. Photo by TS Entertainment

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] TS Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against rapper Sleepy for spreading false information. Sleepy strongly denied TS Entertainment's claims and fought back.

On the 11th, Siwan, the legal representative of TS Entertainment, stated, "On the 10th, we filed a complaint against Sleepy at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) and defamation by publication."

TS Entertainment claimed, "Since September last year, Sleepy gained attention due to financial difficulties, but at the time he claimed to be struggling financially, he was actually pocketing income from entertainment activities and advertisements and repaying a loan of 60 million won, thereby spreading false information and damaging TS Entertainment's reputation."

Last year, Sleepy appealed about the financial hardships he had experienced in the past, revealing his bank transaction details and claiming that the settlement from TS Entertainment, his agency at the time, was unclear.

TS Entertainment said, "Although Sleepy never experienced power or water cuts at his residence, he posted false information on his Instagram stating that 'TS Entertainment repeatedly delayed paying the rent and management fees of his accommodation for 7 to as many as 12 months, which eventually caused daily power and water outages, leading to discomfort and eviction.'"

They added, "By discussing these matters on broadcasts, he created various false news and rumors."

TS Entertainment stated, "This constitutes a violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) and defamation by publication under criminal law. Moreover, despite it not being part of the contract, TS Entertainment had generously supported Sleepy's personal living expenses, which he maliciously repaid. We will strictly hold Sleepy accountable for damaging TS Entertainment's reputation and embezzling income earned from entertainment activities and advertisements."

Photo by Sleepy, captured from Instagram.

Sleepy responded to TS Entertainment's defamation lawsuit by stating, "I will let the law decide the truth."

On the 11th, Sleepy posted on his SNS, "I sincerely apologize for having to write about such an unfortunate matter again."

He said, "I just came across the news article, and these issues could be resolved simply by asking the landlords of the place I used to live. Repeating each other's claims will only cause unnecessary discomfort. I have a lot to say, but I will let the legal judgment determine the truth in the future."

Below is the full statement from TS Entertainment’s legal representative, Law Firm Siwan.

TS Entertainment filed a complaint against Sleepy on September 10, 2020, at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) and defamation by publication. Regarding this, TS Entertainment’s legal representative, Law Firm Siwan, conveys TS Entertainment’s position as follows.

Since September last year, Sleepy gained attention due to financial difficulties, but at the time he claimed to be struggling financially, he was actually pocketing income from entertainment activities and advertisements and repaying a loan of 60 million won, thereby spreading false information and damaging TS Entertainment's reputation.

According to official documents received from Korea Electric Power Corporation and the apartment management office, Sleepy never experienced power or water cuts at his residence. Nevertheless, he posted false information on his Instagram stating that "TS Entertainment repeatedly delayed paying the rent and management fees of his accommodation for 7 to as many as 12 months, which eventually caused daily power and water outages, leading to discomfort and eviction," and by discussing these matters on broadcasts, he created various false news and rumors.

This constitutes defamation against TS Entertainment under the Information and Communications Network Act and defamation by publication under criminal law. Furthermore, despite it not being part of the contract, TS Entertainment had generously supported Sleepy's personal living expenses, which he maliciously repaid.

TS Entertainment will strictly hold Sleepy accountable for damaging TS Entertainment's reputation and embezzling income earned from entertainment activities and advertisements, starting with this criminal complaint.

Below is the full text of Sleepy’s SNS post.

Hello, this is Sleepy.

I sincerely apologize for having to write about such an unfortunate matter again. I just came across the news article, and these issues could be resolved simply by asking the landlords of the place I used to live.

Repeating each other's claims will only cause unnecessary discomfort. I have a lot to say, but I will let the legal judgment determine the truth in the future.

Once again, I apologize for causing concern.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.