ASTRO Slammed with Hate Over Moonbin Tribute, Agency Responds with Legal Action
On April 19, K-pop group ASTRO released Memory of the Moon, a heartfelt tribute commemorating the second anniversary of Moonbin’s tragic passing at just 25 years old. With all proceeds pledged to charity and support from 22 artists, including his sister Moon Sua, VIVIZ, SEVENTEEN, MONSTA X, and SF9, the project was intended as a healing moment, a chorus of voices remembering a star gone too soon.
However, what began as a touching gesture quickly spiraled into controversy. Some netizens alleged that ASTRO was “commercially exploiting the deceased,” sparking waves of malicious comments and defamatory posts targeting members like Cha Eun-woo.
The wave of accusations accusing ASTRO of leveraging Moonbin’s memory for publicity has ignited backlash, even leading fans to organize truck protests demanding accountability for the harassment.
Fantagio Responded with Legal Action
By April 23, agency Fantagio issued a firm response. “While we have monitored the situation cautiously due to its sensitive nature, we can no longer remain silent in the face of repeated malicious behavior,” the statement read. Legal action is now underway, with the agency collecting evidence and encouraging fans to contribute reports via email.
Full Statement from FANTAGIO
Hello, this is Fantagio.
We acknowledge that malicious posts defaming the character and reputation of our artists, through slander, baseless rumors, and their reckless spread and reproduction on social media and online communities – are increasingly circulating.
While we have monitored the situation cautiously due to its sensitive nature, we can no longer remain silent in the face of repeated malicious behavior. We are preparing strong legal action with zero tolerance.
AdvertisementSpreading false information or writing malicious posts under the guise of anonymity goes beyond simple criticism and constitutes a clear violation of the law.
We are continuing to collect evidence regarding malicious content targeting our artists, and the reports sent in by fans have been a great help. If you possess any relevant information, we would be grateful if you could submit it to the email address below.
We reiterate that we will respond firmly to all actions that infringe on the rights of our artists. Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Fantagio’s decision to pursue legal measures is a strong signal to the industry: malicious commenting is not a minor offense, it’s defamation. It’s bullying. And it won’t be ignored. As this case unfolds, one thing is clear: the legacy of Moonbin is too precious to be tainted by hate. Let the music speak—and let justice follow.
