A sasaeng fan who illegally entered NewJeans' former dorm and stole personal items has been sentenced to a fine.

⚖️ Court Hands Down Fine Instead of Prison

On July 23, the Seoul Western District Court sentenced the defendant, referred to as A, to a ₩10 million fine in the first trial. Prosecutors had originally sought a 10-month prison term. A was charged with trespassing and theft.

🧑‍⚖️ Why the Court Was Lenient

Presiding Judge Kim Min-jeong cited A's confession, remorse, and clean criminal record as reasons for the lighter sentence.

"The idols were no longer living at the dorm at the time of the incident, so the risk of directly infringing on their privacy was relatively low," the court stated.

📦 Details of the Incident

The incident occurred on December 18, 2024, when A illegally entered NewJeans' dorm in Yongsan, Seoul. A returned on December 21 after confirming the door was still unlocked, and stole hangers and banners. A also filmed the inside of the dorm and uploaded the footage online.

🏠 Dorm Was Vacant After Contract Termination

At the time of the break-in, the dorm was vacant. NewJeans had moved out in early December after announcing their contract termination with ADOR.

🙏 Sasaeng Pleads for Mercy

During trial, A apologized: "I made a terrible mistake with a reckless decision. I deeply regret hurting the artist and their agency. Please allow me the chance to pursue my dream of becoming a public servant."