K-Pop Fans Outraged At HYBE’s Plan To Take Advantage Of “Running Man” Ji Suk Jin’s Recent Health Complication

“This is the worst.”

All sections of HYBE‘s internal documents have been upsetting for K-Pop fans, more so if their favorite idol groups were named and discussed in them. But one section, in particular, has since been dubbed the most “psychopathic” of them all.

Hard copies of the leaked documents. | Sports Khan

In the December 20, 2023 “report” about SEVENTEEN, from the newly-leaked document, HYBE mentions Running Man star Ji Suk Jin. The document claims Ji has been supportive of SEVENTEEN member Hoshi to win the “2023 Rookie Award” on Yoo Jae Suk‘s YouTube show, Pinggyego.

SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi | @ho5hi_kwon/Instagram

The document then discusses Ji Suk Jin’s health complications. On December 18, 2023, two days before the HYBE report, Ji Suk Jin announced that he’d be taking a break from Running Man due to discovering the need for medical treatment following a check-up.

Jee Seok Jin To Take Temporary Hiatus From “Running Man” Due To Health Concerns

Referring to the health complication as an “opportunity,” the document urges Hoshi to visit Ji Suk Jin—a “harmless ahjussi in the idol target audience”—at the hospital and “strengthen their relationship.”

| HYBE

And it was Ji Suk Jin who actively supported Hoshi, but it seems he has been facing some health issues recently. Ji Suk Jin has a positive reputation as a harmless ahjussi figure in the idol target audience, so it’s a nice opportunity for Hoshi to check in on him or visit him in the hospital to strengthen their relationship. It’s not so much about gaining something from that interaction, but more about taking care of someone who could be important.

— HYBE Document

This section has caused some intense reaction from Korean netizens across online communities.

| theqoo

• “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at HYBE idols do good and believe that their intentions were pure and good.”
• “Wow… What’s wrong with this company? This is so wrong.”
• “Yikes. They’re out of their minds.”
• “Psychopathic, for real.”
• “This makes me laugh in utter disbelief.”
• “Oh, no… This is such disgusting behavior.”
• “This is the worst.”
• “Are they serious?”
• “Psychopaths.”
• “I knew it. No one in that company is in their right mind.”

Watch the Pinggyego Awards here:

SEVENTEEN