Nayeon of K-pop girl group TWICE has won a monetary lawsuit against her mother’s past lover. In response to the controversy, JYP Entertainment vows to  take action against the defamation that their artist has received. 

News about the court ruling in favor of Nayeon has been confirmed by her agency on Tuesday, September 19. 

According to reports by Korean media, the TWICE singer has been embroiled in a lawsuit against her mother’s ex-boyfriend since January 2022. Moreover, her mother’s ex claimed that Nayeon failed to pay the loan that he allegedly let them borrow before she made her debut as a K-pop idol. 

TWICE’s Nayeon vs Mr. A

Referred to as Mr. A, the ex-boyfriend of Nayeon’s mother, claimed a loan repayment of 600 million won. Based on the reports, the said amount was allegedly Mr. A’s expenses for their basic necessities. Such amount reportedly includes their monthly rent, loans, and even Nayeon’s tuition fees in a span of over 12 years— from 2004 to 2016.

During the trial, Mr. A narrated that the loan was done through the request of Nayeon‘s mother. “I lent necessary funds such as living expenses. They promised to pay back the money when Nayeon, who was a trainee, debuted as a singer. But Nayeon broke her promise.”

However, the claimant lost in the legal proceedings due to insufficient evidence. The court refused to acknowledge that the amount Nayeon and her mother received was “borrowed.”

Moreover, court readings stated that there is no evidence to recognize it as a loan. Thus, Nayeon and her mother are not obligated to repay it. “Given the number, period, amount, and circumstances of the money transactions, it is difficult to say that A and Nayeon agreed to return it,” the court continued. 

As per reports, Mr. A has not appealed after losing the first trial.

JYP Entertainment, fans react

As for the court’s ruling, JYP Entertainment assured fans that the decision has been “finalized and concluded.” “So we have nothing to say since it has no bearing on the artist’s entertainment pursuits,” the agency told Korean media. 

With the legal battle now over, JYP Entertainment assured the fans that they will take legal action for acts of defamation against their artists. 

“We will take firm legal action against the matter of defaming the artist’s reputation or insulting the artist through speculative writing going forward.” they said.

Following the news, netizens shared their different opinions on the controversy. Many are in agreement with the court’s ruling, saying that Mr. A just wanted to get money from Nayeon and her mother. While others think it’s a hater’s attempt to ruin Nayeon’s career.

The 27-year-old singer debuted in October 2015 as a member of TWICE. In July 2022, she released her solo album IM NAYEON with the hit title track “Pop!”

Featured image: Nayeon in a promotional photo for TWICE’s fan club membership. Credit: Facebook/TWICE