HYBE’s “Lie” Called Out By Fellow K-Pop Companies Hinting At Boycott

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One part of HYBE CEO’s apology has been deemed deceitful.

1 hour ago

This article is part of our coverage of HYBE Internal Documents Scandal. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.

Will HYBE be able to turn things around after becoming the “ugly duckling” in the entertainment business? Korean press Dailian weighed in, calling out HYBE’s “lie” that is leading fellow K-Pop companies to re-think associating with artists from HYBE and its labels.

According to Dailian, HYBE is “waiting for time to solve the problem rather than addressing the fundamental issues at hand.” But it seems fellow K-Pop companies are looking for more.

HYBE’s current predicament stemmed from an internal document that was revealed during the audit. The document included blunt criticisms of K-Pop artists, companies, and even fandoms of competitors big and small, like SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and others. As additional parts of the document were revealed and circulated across online communities, HYBE came to face backlash that escalated out of control.

HYBE Internal Documents Expose Shocking Insults Towards RIIZE

HYBE’s CEO, Lee Jae Sang, has since apologized for the “inappropriate internal document,” claiming to have “contacted each agency of the artists mentioned and apologized directly to them.”

We would like to respectfully and officially apologize to the artists who were mentioned in the documents and were hurt by them. We have also contacted each agency of the artists mentioned and apologized directly to them. We also sincerely apologize to our HYBE artists, who are taking the heat for their company.

— HYBE

K-Pop companies have told Dailian, however, that no such apologies were received. One insider source stated, “It’s appalling that HYBE, as the industry leader, would create and share such a disgraceful document.”

It’s appalling that HYBE, as the industry leader, would create and share such a disgraceful document. We’re devastated by the situation. HYBE said they would contact each agency mentioned in the document to apologize, but no such actions have been taken. It seems they are trying to pretend it was done and sweep it under the rug, as it’s something difficult to verify anyway.

— Insider

Another source expressed frustration with HYBE for “reducing the entire K-Pop scene to a low-quality culture” with its actions, and that “there is a growing sentiment in the industry to avoid contact with HYBE” in an effort to protect their own artists from being disrespected in the document ever again.

The Many K-Pop Groups Insulted In HYBE’s Internal Documents

K-Pop has long faced criticism for the commercialization of idols, and those of us in the business have worked hard to create a better environment. But after the HYBE document was leaked, it feels like all those efforts have been rendered meaningless. The fact that such a document even existed, for as long as it did, goes to show HYBE’s values and perspective.

Artists from HYBE and its labels still have huge influences in the K-Pop scene, so there will continue to be demand for ‘challenges’ and cooperative stages. But… the thought that HYBE will ‘evaluate’ our artists and/or their interactions to boost their own reputation is chilling. There is a growing sentiment in the industry to avoid contact with HYBE. We can only hope that HYBE’s actions don’t end up reducing the entire K-Pop scene to a low-quality industry or culture.

— Insider

HYBE has since been urged to speak up again, as no further statements has been issued since the CEO’s allegedly deceitful apology. In particular, the silence from HYBE’s chairman, Bang Si Hyuk, who has been implicated in ordering the drafting and sharing of the controversial document, is thought to speak volumes when suspicion and distrust are growing.