HYBE Faces Backlash for Unveiling ILLIT as Group Reportedly Directed to Overlook NewJeans

Recently, NewJeans’ Hanni alleged that a HYBE manager instructed their artists to ignore her during a meeting at the company’s salon. However, Hanni did not disclose the names of these artists or provide clues about their identities.

In response, HYBE issued an official statement stating they had examined a 7-8 minute interaction between Hanni and the girl group ILLIT, asserting that the ILLIT members and Hanni exchanged greetings, and that the manager did not make the criticized statement.

This statement inadvertently identified ILLIT as the group involved in Hanni’s allegations, attracting negative publicity towards the girl group, irrespective of the company’s claims.

Moreover, ILLIT had already faced backlash from prior accusations of “copying NewJeans,” making this new attention even more damaging.

As a result, many netizens are criticizing HYBE for placing ILLIT in the limelight, arguing that the company could have made their point without naming the group.

Here are some comments from netizens:

They’re crazy. Why would they reveal the group when Hanni didn’t specify? How could CCTV possibly capture what the manager said? They excel at using their artists as a shield.
Stop defending HYBE; they are the ones who dragged ILLIT into this controversy.
They actually revealed the group name… Is this HYBE’s idea of protecting their artists?
Recall the Belift Lab’s position video during the NewJeans copying scandal? That only intensified criticism towards ILLIT, and this company has done nothing to assist them; instead, they create more issues that could have been avoided. So, why do some still believe HYBE will safeguard their idols?
HYBE is really frustrating.
The CCTV angle is far away; how can you determine that the manager didn’t tell them to ignore Hanni?

Source: Pann Nate

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