HYBE’s Latest Boy Group Project Announcement Sparks Major Backlash

22 hours ago 8

It comes at time when HYBE is under a lot of criticism.

Koreaboo

1 hour ago

HYBE is a company with many popular groups, including the likes of BTS, SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM, and more. It seems like HYBE is ready to expand once again, aiming to debut another “global” group, similar to KATSEYE.

hybe

The article explained that the project was a collaboration led by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder alongside HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk and HYBE America CEO Scooter Braun. Both Bang Si Hyuk and Ryan Tedder made comments about the project.

Bang Si Hyuk: “Artists under HYBE have consistently reached impressive global milestones, dominating charts year after year. Especially with KATSEYE, we’ve demonstrated that our K-pop methodology is successful in the U.S. mainstream market. Launching a new boy group in
collaboration with Ryan Tedder will be another step in continuing our legacy within the music industry.”

Ryan Tedder: I’m thrilled to partner with HYBE on this new exciting project, Bang and his team have proven to be the best fan-engaging creatives out there and we want to build a group that is the most fan-focused on earth with the best music imaginable.

According to the article, the project is open to all nationalities between the ages of 13 to 23.

On X, when tweets with the news were shared, netizens were extremely negative about the project announcement. Along with criticizing HYBE for wanting more money and the lack of consideration for their current groups, many hit back at the personal views of both Scooter Braun and Ryan Tedder.

🕯 may bts and every other group leave hybe in 2025 and may hybe collapse and disintegrate under the burden of its own greed ameen🕯 https://t.co/z1FHkQNuEL

— a 🍉 (@stillwithjin) February 21, 2025

atp their legacy is just going to be all the bad business decisions they’ve been making while trusting scooter braun and bringing in zionists who add nothing of use to collab with kpop artists #하이브는시오니스트를퇴출하라 #HYBEDivestFromZionism https://t.co/oiK4qM0U8F

— ജ🦇 (@jeonderqueer) February 21, 2025

Mind you the company already has like 7 boy groups already https://t.co/XiXP4wK390

— Bran (@yjkive) February 21, 2025

Hybe really said profits over morals again. another zionist partnership? just fvcking disgusting https://t.co/3HnkI9Op9g pic.twitter.com/7Zny0YtcUN

— 🎥 (@biz3publicity) February 20, 2025

these three can go to hell and leave the earth alone https://t.co/EVNiabtpgo

— /ᐠ•｡•ᐟ\ (@gumcats) February 21, 2025

Reddit had different reactions and while some anticipated the project, others spoke about the current state of the industry.

Comment
byu/impeccabletim from discussion
inkpop