On February 8 KST, SM Entertainment released the following statement, titled "Request Regarding Activities Infringing on the Rights of Artists," via the official SNS accounts of each of the label's artists.
The label stated,
"Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
We would like to make a formal request regarding activities infringing on the rights of our label artists.
Utilizing the valuable reports submitted by fans via 'KWANGYA 119' as well as the company's monitoring system, SM Entertainment will pursue strong legal action against any and all instances of criminal acts including malicious slander, invasion of privacy, sexual harassment, fabrication and spread of false rumors, and more committed against our artists in partnership with Shin & Kim LLC. In order to protect our artists from such acts, SM Entertainment will not hesitate to file both civil and criminal lawsuits against perpetrators with no leniency, so please take caution so that you do not become affiliated with disgraceful acts.
We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank fans who dedicate their precious time to report cases to the company, and we promise to continue our best efforts in protecting the rights of our label artists.
Thank you."
SM Entertainment is home to artists such as BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, WayV, aespa, RIIZE, etc.