Image Source : Nate
The Controversy: A Young Defender or a Reckless Act?
On March 18, Chinese media outlets reported that Xie Guangjun, the Vice President of Baidu, issued a public apology after his 13-year-old daughter leaked personal information of netizens who had criticized IVE’s Jang Wonyoung.
According to the reports, Xie’s daughter got into an online argument with Jang Wonyoung’s detractors on Weibo and, in a fit of rage, exposed private details of nearly 100 users, including a pregnant woman. She allegedly claimed that she was safe from legal consequences because she was residing in Canada and had a powerful father.
As the controversy spread, Weibo users uncovered evidence linking the girl to Xie Guangjun, including online orders and a proof of employment document. Following this, Xie issued a statement on Weibo, admitting that his daughter had made a serious mistake and apologizing to those affected. He emphasized that he had reprimanded his daughter and urged netizens not to spread further personal information.
Korean Netizens React: Applause or Concern?
Korean netizens reacted with mixed emotions, with many praising the child’s actions while others expressed concerns over the ethics of doxxing.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Who told them to leave hate comments? This elementary schooler did the right thing.” (👍 259)
“A kid with a strong sense of justice! Amazing.” (👍 89)
“Even Chinese fans are protecting Wonyoung? LOL World-class beauty confirmed!” (👍 58)
“China must have juvenile law protections too, right? But still, well done.” (👍 12)
“She did well.” (👍 9)
“Baidu’s CEO is probably richer than Samsung’s executives. Imagine their power.” (👍 6)
“Was this her way of saying ‘China, protect!’? LOL.” (👍 6)
“My favorite idol was hurt… I demand strict punishment for the haters!” (👍 5)
“An elementary schooler did this? That’s hilarious.” (👍 4)
“This isn’t something she needs to apologize for, honestly.” (👍 2)
Analysis: Justice or Overreach?
The comments reflect two major viewpoints among Korean netizens.
The first group supports the girl’s actions, arguing that cyberbullies deserved consequences. Many users mocked the haters for facing backlash from an elementary school student and celebrated the fact that Jang Wonyoung had international defenders. Some even praised the girl’s sense of justice, likening her actions to a hero stepping in to protect their favorite idol.
However, a second group raised ethical concerns about the method used to defend Jang Wonyoung. While many dislike malicious commenters, they questioned whether leaking private information—even of haters—was justifiable. Some also pointed out that the girl may have only acted so boldly because of her father’s powerful status at Baidu, which allowed her to avoid legal consequences.
This case highlights a growing debate in online culture: where is the line between fighting hate and violating privacy? While many cheered the young girl’s actions, others worried about the dangers of normalizing doxxing—even when used against cyberbullies.
With increasing global attention on online harassment, this incident raises a critical question: is doxxing ever justified, or is it just another form of online violence?