On 2/7, at the Seoul Eastern District Court's Criminal Affairs Department 3, Kim was sentenced to eight months in prison for threats and defamation.

Kim was prosecuted for anonymously writing approximately 450 threatening and defamatory posts about Shin Se Kyung on online forums between 3/6 and 14/8/2024.

The court's ruling stated that Kim's posts included threats of acid attacks and obscene comments about Shin Se Kyung's appearance and family. "This offense was repetitive, premeditated, highly threatening, and caused significant harm to society," the court said.

The court added, "The defendant wrote numerous offensive and harmful comments about the victim, a celebrity, without any clear reason, causing her mental distress comparable to physical violence."

Shin Se Kyung's representatives sought strict punishment, and the prosecution initially requested a two-year sentence. However, the court imposed a lighter sentence of eight months, citing Kim's apparent lack of intent to cause actual physical harm.

This ruling marks a rare instance of imprisonment for online harassment against a public figure and is considered a significant step towards protecting victims of online crimes, extending beyond just celebrities.

Korean actress Shin Se Kyung. Photo: *The Present Company*

Shin Se Kyung's agency, The Present Company, stated that they issued an official warning, but the violations persisted and escalated, leading to the criminal complaint.

"This ruling sets an important legal precedent, alerting our society to the gravity of cyberbullying. It is not just an individual issue. Anonymously threatening someone's life or damaging their reputation is a clear crime, not protected by freedom of speech," the agency emphasized.

Kim Ji Ae, Shin Se Kyung's legal representative, stated, "This verdict sends a vital message that impulsive acts of online violence will no longer be tolerated."

Born in 1990, Shin Se Kyung began acting as a child and rose to fame with the sitcom *High Kick Through the Roof* (2009). She has starred in popular dramas such as *Deep Rooted Tree* (2011), *A Girl Who Sees Smells* (2015), and *Six Flying Dragons* (2015-2016). Her latest project is *Captivating the King* (2024), co-starring Jo Jung Suk.

Tue Anh (*Star Today*, *Osen*)