Baek Ji Young has spoken honestly about the emotional damage caused by malicious online comments and revealed that she has taken legal action against internet trolls in the past.
On June 30, the singer appeared on YTN Radio’s “Wise Radio Life,” where she discussed mental health, celebrity struggles, and the growing impact of online hate.
According to AllKPop, during the interview, Baek Ji Young introduced the support group “GEM,” short for “Gatekeepers for Entertainers’ Mental Health.” The group includes several well-known celebrities, such as Shin Ae Ra, Lee Sung Mi, and Song Eun Yi.
According to Baek Ji Young, the group was created after members realized they were attending too many funerals of fellow entertainers who had taken their own lives.
For the past three to four years, the members have studied trauma and reached out to entertainers who may be emotionally struggling, even if they are not personally close to them. Mental health experts also work with the group to guide their efforts.
While discussing online hate, Baek Ji Young admitted that it is impossible to completely stop malicious comments. Still, she explained that she decided to take legal action when comments targeted her family or became too personal. She stressed that punishment for harmful online behavior should not be taken lightly.
“Punishment itself, whether it is a fine or a recommendation, carries significant weight,” she said.
Baek Ji Young Warns Trolls
The singer also expressed concern that some people who receive legal penalties for malicious comments later brag about it online. She warned that these punishments can seriously affect a person’s social life and future.
Baek Ji Young’s comments quickly drew attention online because many celebrities in South Korea have recently spoken about mental health struggles linked to public criticism and online attacks. The singer has also previously opened up about difficult moments in her own personal life.
In a recent YouTube video, Baek Ji Young and her husband, actor Jung Seok Won, shared memories from their secret dating days before going public with their relationship, SportsChosun reported.
The couple recalled dealing with severe flood damage at Baek Ji Young’s luxury residence in Gangnam years ago. Because they had not confirmed their relationship at the time, they even covered their faces while moving belongings and staying at a hotel together.
“We had to be conscious of people around us,” Jung Seok Won shared while talking about the stressful situation.
Baek Ji Young and Jung Seok Won officially confirmed their relationship in 2011 and married in 2013. They now have one daughter together.