Debate on Overworking in the Wake of HYBE Employee Death and Other Controversial Incidents

On October 15, the Environment and Labor Committee of South Korea’s National Assembly convened to address serious allegations of bullying and harassment within the idol entertainment sector. ADOR CEO Ju Young Kim represented HYBE, the nation’s leading entertainment firm, as a witness during this pivotal hearing. The session notably included accusations against HYBE concerning the alleged concealment of an employee’s death.

During the proceedings, Progressive Party member Jeong Hye-kyung confronted CEO Ju Young Kim with inquiries about an incident where an employee reportedly collapsed in the office in February 2022, was subsequently hospitalized, and tragically died later.

Ju Young Kim acknowledged that an employee had passed away due to health complications. He clarified, “As I understand it, this event transpired in September 2022. The employee collapsed while performing their duties, and we transported them to the hospital. Regrettably, they succumbed a few days later due to an existing health issue.”

However, Jeong Hye-kyung contended that the Environment and Labor Committee considered the circumstances as indicative of death from overwork. She highlighted that at the time of this incident, HYBE was undergoing rapid expansion, creating numerous subsidiaries. This situation placed immense pressure on employees, who were often responsible for managing multiple idol groups and rigorous overseas schedules, resulting in extreme work hours and insufficient rest periods.

Jeong Hye-kyung raised suspicions that HYBE was attempting to hide the truth surrounding the employee’s death, remarking that it was peculiar that no claim for an industrial accident had been filed with the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service following the incident.

“This situation appears to be a case of death from overwork. Is there an attempt to cover it up?” she questioned.

In immediate response, Ju Young Kim dismissed the allegations, asserting, “There was no attempt to cover up any facts.” He noted that the decision against an autopsy was made by the family of the deceased.

Nonetheless, Jeong Hye-kyung responded skeptically, suggesting that the explanation provided by the CEO merely glossed over the issue. She stated, “Coming to an agreement with the family can also signify a form of concealment. We urge your company to investigate this matter thoroughly and provide us with a complete report.”

Following the hearing, a person claiming to be a former colleague of the late HYBE employee intensified the controversy by accusing the company of hiding the real cause of death.

“He didn’t die from a personal illness. At that time, he was quite young. Many of his colleagues attended his memorial and funeral. It’s absurd to assert that no industrial accident claim was processed. How could the deceased possibly do that?” the individual stated.

Such allegations have sparked considerable outrage throughout South Korea. Observers noted that incidents of overwork leading to fatalities are unfortunately common in the entertainment industry, although few cases have reached such a critical point. Authorities are actively examining these claims to ascertain if HYBE indeed concealed details regarding the employee’s death attributable to overwork.

In 2024, HYBE has captured media attention, not for its successes in the industry but for a series of scandals and troubling revelations. The entertainment giant is embroiled in legal battles and power struggles involving Min Hee Jin, the mastermind behind NewJeans.

Additionally, shocking reports have emerged of trainee Camila Sterling (24) dying from a drug overdose after allegedly spending the night with an executive from HYBE America. Compounding matters, many high-profile idols under the company’s management have been grappling with overwhelming schedules that frequently lead to injuries.