HYBE is under fire once again following allegations that the company misrepresented BTS member Jungkook’s comments regarding the ongoing conflict involving HYBE and Min Hee-jin.
Recently, social media has been abuzz with Jungkook’s latest actions. Through the Instagram account bowwow_bam, which belongs to his beloved dog Bam, Jungkook posted two messages suggesting the sentiments: “Artists are not guilty,” and “Don’t use them.”
Consequently, netizens believe this is Jungkook’s subtle method of expressing solidarity with the members of NewJeans amid the tensions between HYBE, ADOR, and former CEO Min Hee-jin.
In response to the posts, BIGHIT MUSIC issued a statement clarifying that Jungkook believes young artists should remain untainted by conflicts or exploited for protection.
“We have confirmed that this was posted with the belief that, under no circumstances, should young artists be drawn into disputes or used as shields,” the company stated.
The South Korean media outlet Edaily later reported that HYBE confirmed Jungkook’s intent to request Min Hee-jin to refrain from involving NewJeans. However, a recent report from Yonhap News TV has raised concerns about the company’s actions.
The report suggests that BIGHIT did not confirm whether Jungkook personally used the term “shield,” leading to speculation that the agency might be manipulating his message as a retaliation against Min Hee-jin.
“BIGHIT’s explanation appeared to target former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. However, the agency refrained from clarifying whether Jungkook himself used the word ‘shield’,” said Yonhap News TV.
Furthermore, online users allege that HYBE has a history of utilizing BTS as a defense in its corporate conflicts. This report gained traction on the Korean internet forum, TheQoo, where netizens accused HYBE of allegedly distorting Jungkook’s statement.
- “Release the call recording.”
- “A bunch of pathetic losers.”
- “You’re the ones using them as shields, lol. That company always uses BTS as their shield.”
- “Using artists as shields, how disgusting.”
- “If Jungkook actually said it, they would’ve just confirmed it. Why avoid answering?”
- “They didn’t hear it from Jungkook, lol. Don’t you know HYBE always lies? They say ‘it has been confirmed,’ but never, ‘Jungkook said.’ I’m so sick of their wordplay.”
- “LOL, everyone knows which company uses their artists as shields more than anyone. Who do you think came up with the word ‘shield’?”
- “Wow, this is seriously pathetic.”
Source: Krb, theqoo
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