Court Sentences Deepfake Creator Targeting aespa’s Karina and Winter to 2 Years 6 Months

South Korean authorities have handed down a prison sentence to a person convicted of creating and selling deepfake videos of aespa members Karina and Winter for profit, according to updates released June 18 by SM Entertainment and reported by major Korean outlets. The Daegu High Court’s Criminal Division 1 sentenced the defendant—identified only as “A”—to two years and six months in prison, along with additional orders tied to sexual violence rehabilitation and restrictions on future employment in youth-related institutions.

The ruling arrives amid heightened scrutiny of “digital sexual crimes” in South Korea, where regulators and entertainment companies have increasingly emphasized not only punishment for producers and distributors, but also enforcement against rumor-spreading and other online abuse that can amplify harm. Alongside the court decision, SM said it continues evidence-gathering for those who spread malicious posts and manipulated content involving aespa.

Court ruling: prison term plus rehabilitation and long employment ban

SM Entertainment stated that the court found the defendant guilty in the case involving the production and sale of deepfake videos of Karina and Winter. The company said the sentence included:

• Two years and six months in prison
• 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program
• A seven-year employment restriction from institutions related to children and adolescents

In its official statement, SM framed the verdict as part of ongoing enforcement against deepfake-based sexual exploitation and related online misconduct. The company also indicated that investigations into deepfake-related cases have continued to generate results, referencing work described in its prior quarterly update.

SM Entertainment expands enforcement beyond the creator

While the sentence targets the defendant convicted of producing and selling the deepfake material, SM’s response suggests the broader case landscape includes other actors—such as those who spread, repost, or amplify harmful content and false information. SM said it continues monitoring reports from fans and major domestic and international platforms, and that it has been filing complaints with investigative authorities.

SM specifically indicated it is pursuing legal action under multiple laws, including provisions tied to sexual crimes, communications and network-related offenses, and telecommunications-related frameworks. The company said it has already secured a significant amount of evidence and is working with platforms and relevant institutions to identify anonymous users connected to the case and related harassment.

In addition, SM said it will “respond firmly” to the spread of malicious rumors, false information, sexually harassing content, insults, and manipulated content involving aespa—adding that it will pursue cases without leniency or settlements.

Public reaction underscores the stakes for “digital sex crimes”

Although fans and the public widely acknowledge that online deepfake abuse can be difficult to police—particularly when content is distributed quickly across multiple platforms—the response to the sentence reflected a split in online sentiment. Some observers expressed relief that the court imposed a custodial penalty, while others criticized the length of the term as insufficient for an offense they view as deeply violating and potentially traumatizing.

Korean media coverage of similar cases has frequently highlighted that deepfake platforms can be used for blackmail, harassment, and profit, while victims must deal with renewed visibility of the material even after removal efforts. For entertainment companies, enforcement is further complicated by jurisdictional challenges and the rapid turnover of accounts and repost chains.

Broader crackdown: other agencies also move against malicious online posts

SM’s announcement about the deepfake verdict was part of a wider pattern in South Korea’s K-pop ecosystem, where agencies are increasingly directing resources toward legal processes for online abuse. Just as SM updated its stance on aespa-related deepfake content, Starship Entertainment issued an update on June 18 regarding its legal action against malicious posts targeting IVE member Jang Won Young, according to Soompi.

Starship said law enforcement has informed the company that investigations into its ongoing lawsuits are underway. The agency added that authorities are seeking warrants to obtain user information from domestic platforms such as Naver Blog and DCinside, and are also pursuing international cooperation procedures to identify users connected to overseas platforms including X (formerly Twitter).

Together, the two updates illustrate how entertainment firms are treating online harassment and manipulated content not merely as “community issues,” but as criminal matters requiring cross-platform investigation and legal documentation—often with evidence gathered through both internal monitoring and reports submitted by fans.

What happens next

SM said it is continuing to collect evidence against people who spread malicious rumors, false information, sexual harassment, insults, and manipulated content involving aespa. The next phase typically involves identifying additional suspects, securing user data through platform cooperation or warrants, and pursuing further civil or criminal actions where applicable.

For the broader industry, watchdogs and legal experts will likely watch whether agencies can reduce harm not just by targeting the creators and distributors of deepfakes, but also by holding accountable those who amplify or monetize the content indirectly. As authorities pursue international cooperation and platform data requests, the effectiveness of these mechanisms—and their speed—may become the key factor in determining how quickly similar cases are contained.