BTS members V and Jungkook’s ongoing defamation case against controversial YouTuber Sojang has taken a fresh turn, with the court now urging both parties to consider a possible settlement.
According to a July 3 report by Korean media outlet Star Today, the Seoul court has scheduled a court-mediated session between the parties, which may require the K-pop stars to appear in person.
The session, set for July 21 at 9:40 AM KST (6:10 AM IST), replaces the previously planned full trial. It aims to facilitate a mutual agreement, following a June 16 decision by a higher court to shift the case towards a settlement format. While it remains unclear whether V and Jungkook will be required to attend, reports suggest their personal presence may be necessary, unlike previous hearings.
The settlement session, directed by the court, is designed to help both sides reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Under Article 28 of the South Korean Civil Procedure Act, such a settlement, if agreed upon, would carry the same legal effect as a final court ruling.
This development comes months after Sojang, who runs the YouTube channel Taldeok Camp, was found guilty in February 2025 of uploading 23 defamatory videos between October 2021 and June 2023. The Seoul Western District Court’s 12th Civil Division ordered her to pay 76 million KRW (approx. Rs 47 lakh) in damages.
Of this amount, V was awarded 10 million KRW (approx. Rs 6 lakh), Jungkook received 15 million KRW (approx Rs 9.3 lakh), and BTS’ agency BIGHIT MUSIC was granted 51 million KRW (approx Rs 31 lakh). This figure was adjusted from the original 90 million (approx 56 lakh) KRW sought in the January 2025 lawsuit.
The legal update comes shortly after BTS confirmed their long-awaited reunion during a Weverse livestream on July 1.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the group’s return marks the end of a hiatus lasting over three years, intensifying global excitement over what lies ahead for the band.
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