“Payola” Recent Announcement Regarding Multiple HYBE Artists Sparks Criticism

HYBE has been accused of “payola” after a recent announcement regarding some of its idols.

Recently, the GRAMMYS announced the creators invited to join the “Recording Academy,” which recognizes the achievements in the music industry.

🎉 Your favorite artists are officially part of the Recording Academy.
Nearly 3,600 music creators — including artists, songwriters, producers, composers, and engineers — have joined the 2025 New Member Class.

↪️ This year’s class is 49% women, 56% People of Color, and 60%… pic.twitter.com/Yk9oqdR2AF

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) July 9, 2025

It was noted that some of the artists included were HYBE stars, including TXT‘s Yeonjun, ENHYPEN‘s Jungwon, SEVENTEEN‘s Woozi and Vernon, LE SSERAFIM‘s Yunjin, and KATSEYE. Zico is also included, and his company KOZ Entertainment is a subsidiary under HYBE.

Some of the artists that were invited to join the Recording Academy today, they will need to accept their invitations to officially join:

Addison Rae
TXT Yeonjun
ENHYPEN Jungwon
SEVENTEEN Vernon, Woozi
LE SSERAFIM Yunjin
Zico
KATSEYE pic.twitter.com/611T0QfpYH

— About Music (@AboutMusicYT) July 9, 2025

When the announcement was made, netizens noticed that the K-Pop idols all came from HYBE and accused the company of “payola” to have their stars involved.

HYBE’s payola basically turned the Recording Academy into inkigayo by putting all their idols there… https://t.co/ldnRr7AhYL

— Ramez⁴ is JUMPING (@rzblink1) July 9, 2025

hybe company stans will look you dead in the eyes and ask "what payola?" https://t.co/Yxdgo6obOX

— nem (@nemmh0) July 9, 2025

the concept of all the idols invited to recording academy being hybe artists pic.twitter.com/1anCCHlPIn

— r (@lalisasproperty) July 9, 2025

hybe is so funny ngl they dont even try to hide their fraudulence anymore pic.twitter.com/tmcbpAhjOl

— iki (@zkdlinhwa) July 9, 2025

mind u this is their FIRST year in the music industry & yall want to convince me they’re organic & that hybe/scooter braun isn’t pulling strings for them ??? https://t.co/eB95bJpd1Z

— Gee 🔪 (@baexxgee) July 9, 2025

Hybe / hybe group stans will look you in the eye and say that there is no such thing as hybe payola 😭 y’all are even more embarrassing than that pathetic company https://t.co/y4ur3qV1ZY pic.twitter.com/cLraeXAppo

— Maybelline (@staymaybelline) July 9, 2025

Netizens defended the decision, sharing the achievements of some of the HYBE stars included, with others explaining that HYBE sent in the applications, meaning that other K-Pop companies could have done the same.

Songwriting credits:
YEONJUN – 51 (composition & lyrics)
YUNJIN – 27 (composition, writing, producing)
WOOZI – 165 (producing, composing, writing)
JUNGWON – 3 (writing, composing)
ZICO – 161 (composing, writing, arranging, producing)
VERNON – 95+ (producing, composing, lyrics) https://t.co/q23HOUV29h

— page.rin ִ ࣪☆ || #1 magical girl (@ghostingrin) July 9, 2025

oki i get why people are saying hybe payola but vernon and woozi being chosen actually makes so much sense 😭 both are professional music producers, vn with 100+ writing credits, and wz with over 200. both being full time KOMCA members. https://t.co/jqQDXmIxcG

— don quixote (@wjhcar) July 9, 2025

I'm not sure I get what people are complaining about. Are you saying that your favs send in applications but weren't selected? Like Hybe told the Panel not select other idols or are you complaining about other companies not submitting applications? Which one is it?/gen https://t.co/gcthFNfqvh pic.twitter.com/mexSopLVnR

— This Is Sheep (@SheepEnDiamant) July 9, 2025

idk but i think you should tell your faves to apply????? bts is part of the recording academy so don't doubt if hybe will let their artists apply to become part of the academy. maybe it's the other companies fault for not letting your faves apply and get the chance to be part pic.twitter.com/aCBizR3ge7

— janz (@malipayon_jj) July 9, 2025