HYBE Halts Writer of ‘Idol Appearance Evaluation’ Internal Report

Recent developments in the music sector reveal that HYBE has suspended Mr. Kang, the individual behind the controversial “Weekly Music Industry Report,”from his managerial role. This decision seems to be a response to the uproar elicited by the report’s offensive and derogatory remarks.

This internal report has been dispatched on a weekly basis to the top management at HYBE and its partner labels. The issue intensified on October 24, when parts of the report were exposed during a National Assembly audit conducted by the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, where Democratic Party legislator Min Hyung-bae raised critical inquiries.

The report included appalling critiques regarding the looks of local idols, with statements claiming, “Members debuted at an age considered unappealing, with no members showcasing attractive facial features, and extreme plastic surgery being prevalent,” and “There is a distinct pattern concerning looks and sexual allure,” alongside “Other members were strikingly unattractive,” triggering widespread outrage.

In light of the backlash, HYBE released an official statement asserting, “The monitoring report presented in the National Assembly compiles a range of responses and public sentiments from both fandoms and the industry.” They emphasized that the document was meant for limited internal use, simply reflecting community and social media feedback, and does not represent HYBE’s viewpoints.

However, as more content from the report surfaced online, the controversy deepened. Amid this ongoing situation, Seungkwan, a member of HYBE’s group SEVENTEEN, voiced his discontent on October 29, saying, “We are not individuals who can be easily judged based on these superficial assessments. I urge everyone not to trivialize idols.”

He continued, “We do not deserve to be simply placed within your narratives. This applies not only to us but to all artists; we are more than just your commodities,” articulating his frustration regarding the issue.

Source: Daum

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