South Korea’s SM Entertainment, which reps acts like EXO, NCT and Red Velvet, is taking a stand against stans – or sasaeng as they are known there.
On Friday, the company said in a statement "excessive invasion of privacy by so-called 'sasaeng' towards our artists will no longer be condoned and will be dealt with strictly."
According to SM Entertainment, sasaeng are following artists who are doing their military service and showing up at their homes, or leaving packages at their homes or those of family members.
“This is not an expression of affectionate fan sentiment,” it said. “It is an illegal act that infringes on the privacy of artists, etc., and a clear criminal act. In order to protect our artists, we will abandon the tolerant attitude we have maintained regarding 'sasaeng' and take decisive and strong legal action without leniency or agreement."
The company vowed to "take all possible legal actions, both civil and criminal."
It also said it is filing criminal complaints against people who share “malicious rumours about our artists” on social media and online.
Under South Korean law, people can be criminally charged with defamation even if what they said or wrote is true. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has urged the government to abolish the law.
Earlier this month, BTS label Big Hit Music updated fans on its legal attacks on people who criticize the group online and on social media. “Our company regularly initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of malicious activities related to BTS, including ill-intentioned criticism, the spread of groundless information, sexual harassment, personal attacks and defamation,” read a statement.