Some things shouldn’t need saying twice — but ASND, the agency behind fromis_9 and Red Velvet’s Wendy, is making sure the message lands this time. On August 19, the agency issued a firm public statement announcing it will pursue legal action against malicious online behavior targeting its artists, drawing a clear line between criticism and abuse.
What Prompted the Statement
According to ASND, despite previous warnings, malicious posts and comments targeting its artists’ appearances and bodies have continued — including degrading remarks, sexual objectification, and outright harassment. The agency didn’t mince words, stating that commenting on specific body parts, mocking appearance, or spreading false information isn’t protected as “opinion” or “freedom of expression” — it’s defamation, plain and simple.
Read ASND’s Statement
The agency’s notice was direct and unambiguous. ASND confirmed it has been taking strict action against acts targeting our artists, including malicious slander, the spread of false information, defamation, and sexual harassment. Despite that, the agency said it continues to identify malicious posts and comments targeting our artists’ appearances and bodies, including degrading remarks, malicious criticism, sexual objectification, and sexually harassing content.
ASND was firm that such behavior cannot be considered simply expressions of opinion or freedom of expression, and confirmed it will continue to collect evidence of malicious posts and comments and pursue active measures against any acts that infringe upon our artists’ rights and interests, regardless of the severity of the case.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Agency | ASND |
| Artists Represented | fromis_9, Red Velvet’s Wendy |
| Statement Date | August 19, 2026 |
| Issues Cited | Body-shaming, sexual harassment, false information, defamation |
| Action Planned | Legal action, evidence collection, ongoing monitoring |
A Growing Trend Among K-pop Agencies
ASND’s stance reflects a broader shift across the K-pop industry, where agencies are increasingly formalizing legal responses to online abuse rather than issuing one-off warnings. As idol culture continues to intersect with intense public scrutiny, statements like this signal a harder line: agencies are no longer treating malicious commentary as background noise, but as actionable harm.
For more K-pop industry updates and artist protection news, check out our ongoing coverage on technosports.co.in. And if you’re following how agencies are responding to online harassment trends, technosports.co.in has more stories tracking that shift.
