Choi Siwon Wins U.S. Court Approval to Identify Anonymous Online Harassers
Super Junior member Choi Siwon has taken a significant step in his legal battle against anonymous online commenters.
According to reports, a U.S. federal court has approved his request to obtain identifying information for several anonymous users on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. The decision could allow him to move forward with civil lawsuits in South Korea against people he says posted defamatory and abusive comments.
Why a U.S. Court Is Involved
In June 2026, Choi Siwon filed a request under 28 U.S.C. §1782, a U.S. law that allows courts to assist with gathering evidence for legal proceedings in foreign countries.
The Northern District of California granted the request on July 3, allowing him to seek account information from the platforms. According to court filings, he argued that he could not continue his legal action in Korea without first identifying the anonymous users.
The requested information reportedly includes names, dates of birth, and addresses associated with the accounts.
Claims of Harassment and Emotional Distress
The filing states that ten anonymous users posted comments between November 2025 and February 2026 that Choi describes as hateful, insulting, and defamatory.
He said the posts caused severe emotional and psychological distress while also damaging his reputation as both a public figure and a member of Super Junior.
Among the examples reportedly submitted to the court were personal insults, profanity, and comments calling for his removal from the group.
Political Interpretations Sparked Online Backlash
Although Choi Siwon has never publicly declared a specific political affiliation, some of his social media posts have been widely interpreted through a political lens.
Posts that drew attention included a tribute to Charlie Kirk, the use of Chinese idioms following a major political court ruling in South Korea, and a nighttime photo that some online users connected to a political gathering. The photo was later deleted.
According to the legal filing, the online criticism eventually escalated into personal attacks and abusive comments.
Growing Use of U.S. Legal Procedures by K-pop Artists
This is not the first time a Korean celebrity has relied on U.S. legal procedures to identify anonymous internet users.
A similar process was previously used in a high-profile case involving Jang Wonyoung, where evidence obtained through a U.S. court helped identify the operator of a YouTube channel accused of spreading defamatory content. That case ultimately resulted in a criminal conviction in South Korea.
As more social media platforms operate globally, cross-border legal tools like Section 1782 are becoming increasingly important for public figures seeking accountability for online harassment.
