Death Threat Against TWICE’s Mina Among Many Crimes Targeting Idols
The death threat made against TWICE member Mina is just another one to add to the list of crimes committed against idols. On Tuesday, the Internet went crazy over a post made by a supposed fan of TWICE. The photo posted was that of a knife and someone's wrist. The perpetrator said that he/she will murder Mina if she didn't mutilate her supposed boyfriend.
Though the unidentified poster, later on, confessed that it was a joke meant to be viral, TWICE's agency JYP Entertainment did not find it funny at all. In fact, no one did. Management expressed that there will be 'no mercy' for the practical joker and promised that they will take legal actions for the supposed death threat. TWICE's Mina is just one of the many idols who became victims of online harassment in recent years.
Among idols who were harassed was IU. A Youtube user made explicit comments about the singer and compared her to his dog in his videos. IU and her agency vowed to pursue legal actions against the user. Like TWICE's Mina's perpetrator, the Youtube user said that it was just a joke and not to be taken seriously. However, despite his apology, he continued to display lewd affection for IU when he licked a bottle with IU's photo on it. Other idols who have received death threats include BTS member Jimin. A fan posted a photo of BTS's concert seating plan and a gun and claimed that he/she will shoot Jimin during BTS's concert in California. Though no incident happened in the event, everyone present at the concert feared for their safety.
TWICE Mina's perpetrator posted an apology towards the singer, expressing that it was only meant to be of shock value rather than a real death threat. According to him/her, he/she did not expect that it would elicit so much fear from Mina. The apology is futile, as a Supreme Court ruling in 2006 states that it is still possible for the internet user to be convicted whether or not he or she had planned to actually hurt Mina. Making death threats is punishable by law in South Korea. One can get up to three years in prison or pay a fine of 5 million won.