Defamation charges against Block B's Park Kyung have been forwarded to the prosecution after the singer-songwriter accused several artists of engaging in sajaegi or illegal chart manipulation.
It can be recalled that last year, Park Kyung made a controversial statement accusing six artists including Vibe and Song Haye in the illegal practice. In his personal Twitter account, the outspoken artist also named Lim Jae Hyun, Jeon Sang Keun, Jang Deok Cheol, and Hwang In Wook and said he wanted to do sajaegi like them.
Sajaegi is an illegal chart manipulation practice wherein albums are bought in bulk to raise the album's standing in the music charts. KQ Entertainment was quick to issue an apology on behalf of its artist. They said that Park Kyung did not mean to specifically name the artists in his tweet but only wanted to air out his frustration over rumors of chart manipulation that was growing prevalent in the industry.
However, they remained supportive continued to stand by Park Kyung as he attended the police questioning on the case.
It can be recalled that after Park Kyung's controversial tweet, an anonymous source also posted a screenshot of alleged sajaegi as it took place. The image showed multiple computer monitors running multiple windows simultaneously. The source claimed it was proof that what Park Kyung was saying was true. He added that he intended to submit the full file to authorities to be investigated. It was unknown whether the video was included in the evidence for the Block B member's case.
Based on a report by All Kpop, the Seoul Sungdong Police Station forwarded the case to the prosecution and recommended indictment without detainment on the case of spreading false rumors and defaming the characters of the victims.
However, Park Kyung was not the only artist to raise awareness about sajaegi. BTS Jin also took a potshot at the illegal practice during their speech at the Mnet Asia Music Awards last year.
In his message, Jin said that the music industry should be more focused on creating music with more honest means, hinting at possible illegal practices that have been happening in the Kpop industry.
Several labels are also speaking out against the illegal chart manipulation practice, alleging that music charts that should be the honest gauge of people's tastes have slowly become puppets of sajaegi. An investigative report by NPR even cited a documentary wherein Tiger JK admitted that he was offered to land on the top of the chart for 100 million won.
