KOZ Entertainment Founder ZICO Directly Addresses Rumors On His Knowledge About HYBE’s Controversial Internal Documents

This article is part of our coverage of HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.

KOZ ENTERTAINMENT founder Zico has addressed allegations he has received and read HYBE‘s controversial internal documents.

Zico | @woozico0914/Instagram

Recently, documents from HYBE have been released with damning comments about other idols from various K-Pop companies, including HYBE’s subsidiaries. On October 30, a screenshot went around allegedly showing HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk asking, “Please add Zico [redacted email address] to the list of recipients.”

In a screenshot from 2023, following on from the initial email and seemingly containing the report, Kang Myung Seok, the person who wrote the reports, responded, “Okay, he has been added.”

At the bottom of the updated email, it says, “Kang Myung Seok has shared 1 document.” The box below shows an update explaining, “Kang Myung Seok has sent you a message about this document: The music industry report has been updated.” It seemingly showed confirmation that the document was sent to Zico.

After the alleged email was sent out, Zico quickly took to Instagram to clarify his stance. In the post, the idol explained that he double-checked with staff before making a statement that he had not opened or viewed the email.

What is going on… I checked the article that came out today, and I thought I’d leave a message because I figured you’d want to hear it directly from me.

I have never seen such a document. In fact, I have never even opened such emails before. I only found out that I was added to the list of recipients from today’s article. I don’t want to create any misunderstandings, but I thought a message alone might not clear everything up.

So before I drafted this statement, I asked KOZ directly to confirm that no emails and/or documents were opened/viewed. For those of you who were worried, please. I hope you have a peaceful day today.

— Zico

You can read more about the internal documents below.

HYBE Founder Bang Si Hyuk Reportedly Directly Involved In Orders For Controversial Internal Documents

HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin