On December 30, 2025, the agency released a comprehensive update regarding their ongoing legal battles, emphasizing a “zero-tolerance” policy as they transition into 2026.
This announcement follows a year where Zico was frequently targeted by groundless allegations and online harassment, much of which stemmed from misinterpreted past events and speculative social media posts.
Successful Prosecution and Fines
According to the official statement, KOZ Entertainment has been working closely with law enforcement agencies to track down the most persistent offenders. The agency revealed that:
- Convictions: Multiple defendants have been found guilty of defamation and insult under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.
- Penalties: The court has imposed monetary fines on these individuals. While the exact amounts were not disclosed to the public, the agency stressed that these legal records will follow the offenders, serving as a significant deterrent.
- Civil Suits: In addition to the criminal charges, the agency is reportedly pursuing civil damages in cases where the malicious rumors caused tangible harm to Zico’s professional reputation and brand partnerships.
Zico (Credit: YouTube)
A Year of Intense Scrutiny
The legal crackdown comes after a particularly challenging 2025 for Zico. Throughout the year, the artist faced a resurgence of old rumors and new, unfounded allegations that gained traction on various community portals and YouTube “cyber-wrecker” channels.
- False Narratives: Many of the malicious posts involved malicious editing of old video clips and the fabrication of “insider” information regarding his personal life and industry relationships.
- The Agency’s Response: KOZ Entertainment noted that they have been systematically collecting evidence for months, utilizing both fan-submitted reports and an internal monitoring system that uses AI to track the spread of misinformation across global platforms.
“No Settlements, No Leniency”
A key takeaway from the agency’s announcement is their refusal to settle. KOZ Entertainment explicitly stated,
“We will continue to respond with the principle of no leniency and no settlements.”
This firm stance is intended to send a clear message that online anonymity does not grant immunity from the law.
The agency also thanked fans for their “tireless efforts” in reporting malicious content, acknowledging that the volume of evidence provided by the fandom was instrumental in securing the recent convictions.
Professional Focus Amidst the Noise
Despite the legal distractions, Zico remained a dominant force in the music industry throughout late 2025.
He successfully wrapped up a series of production projects for junior artists and hinted at his own solo comeback in early 2026.
- Industry Leadership: As the head of KOZ Entertainment (a subsidiary of HYBE), Zico has been praised for his business acumen, particularly in the successful management of the boy group BOYNEXTDOOR.
- Artistic Integrity: Supporters of the artist have pointed out that the legal action is necessary to ensure he can continue his creative work without the constant shadow of manufactured scandals.
Industry-Wide Trend
Zico’s case is part of a broader trend in K-pop as we enter 2026, where agencies are becoming increasingly aggressive in their legal defense strategies.
Following the lead of companies like Big Hit Music and Starship Entertainment, KOZ is utilizing “Regular Legal Update” reports to keep the public informed of the consequences of online defamation.
This transparency is credited with shifting the public sentiment toward more responsible social media usage.
Looking Ahead
As 2026 begins, KOZ Entertainment has vowed to remain vigilant. They have updated their reporting email and encouraged fans to continue documenting any instances of:
- Slander and personal attacks.
- Spread of unconfirmed and false rumors.
- Sexual harassment and malicious “deepfake” content.
The agency concluded their statement by saying,
“We will do our best to protect our artist’s honor and ensure he can focus solely on his music and fans.”
With the legal system now delivering actual punishments, the environment surrounding Zico appears to be stabilizing, allowing the “digital trendsetter” to ring in the new year on a much more positive note.
Fans are now eagerly awaiting his next musical project, hopeful that 2026 will be defined by his artistry rather than his legal battles.
A recent report by Koreaboo on December 31, 2025, titled “BTS Jin’s Actions Towards Jungkook Spark Mixed Reactions And Criticism,” has ignited a firestorm within the K-pop community.
It details a specific incident during a recent group interaction where Jin’s behavior toward the group’s maknae, Jungkook, was perceived by some as overly harsh or dismissive.
While a segment of the fandom has voiced disappointment, a larger majority of ARMYs (BTS’s fans) have rushed to Jin’s defense, arguing that the narrative is being “overblown” by the media during a particularly sensitive time for Jungkook.
The Incident: A “Cold” Exchange?
The controversy stems from a clip of a recent group livestream or behind-the-scenes video where Jin was seen reprimanding or ignoring Jungkook during a discussion about their 2026 comeback.
According to Koreaboo, some viewers interpreted Jin’s tone as “unnecessarily sharp,” leading to claims that there might be internal tension within the group.
Critics of the interaction pointed out:
- The Timing: The incident occurred while Jungkook was already facing significant pressure due to persistent dating rumors with aespa’s Winter.
- Protective Sentiment: Some fans felt that as the oldest member, Jin should have been more supportive of Jungkook during his recent period of intense public scrutiny.
“Jin Saved Him”: The Counter-Narrative
In contrast to the criticism, many fans have pointed to a separate, slightly older incident from December 19, 2025, where Jin was actually praised for “saving” Jungkook .
During a live broadcast, Jungkook accidentally exposed a vape on camera, and Jin reportedly moved quickly to distract the audience or cover the item, preventing a much larger scandal.
Fans supporting Jin argue that:
- Sibling Dynamics: Jin and Jungkook have a well-documented “eldest-and-youngest” sibling dynamic characterized by bickering and tough love. What some perceive as “criticism” is often just their natural way of interacting.
- Diversion Tactics: Many believe Jin’s recent “harsh” actions might actually be a deliberate attempt to shift the media’s focus away from Jungkook’s dating rumors and back onto group chemistry, even if it means he takes the heat.
A Smoke Screen for Larger Scandals?
The criticism toward Jin comes at a time when some fans are becoming suspicious of the frequency of BTS-related “scandals.” A viral thread on X (formerly Twitter) suggested that the intense focus on Jungkook’s dating life and Jin’s subsequent “criticism” might be a “distraction” from a massive national data breach in South Korea involving the e-commerce giant Coupang. This theory suggests that celebrity controversies are being amplified to divert public attention from the leak of personal data belonging to over 33 million citizens.
Looking Toward 2026
Despite the “noise” surrounding Jin and Jungkook, the group remains focused on their full-group return. In their New Year’s Eve 2026 countdown, all seven members appeared together, reaffirming their bond.
Jin stated,
“I will work my hardest for our upcoming activities. Fighting!”
Jungkook added a message of health and love to the fans, notably ignoring the dating rumors and the recent criticism toward his relationship with his “Jin-hyung.”
As BTS prepares for their March 2026 comeback, this latest “Koreaboo controversy” appears to be another chapter in the complex relationship between the group and the media. For most fans, the bond between Jin and Jungkook remains unshakable, and they view the criticism as a misinterpretation of a decade-long friendship that has survived far greater challenges.
