HYBE Under Fire For Leaked Internal Reports Containing Defamatory Remarks About Other Idols

HYBE, the K-pop powerhouse behind global sensations such as BTS, TXT, ENHYPEN, and NewJeans, is currently embroiled in a controversy due to a leaked 'industry trend report'.

On October 24, the company's 'Weekly Music Industry Report,' which was written for internal reporting purposes and subject to HYBE executives' review, was disclosed in the comprehensive state audit of the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. The report included information about other idols from competitor groups, including their skill evaluations, private life controversies, and even physical appearance evaluations.

Insulting comments found on HYBE's report, targeting other young artists (minors):

• Their plastic surgery was overdone
• They debuted at an age where they're at their most unattractive.
• None of them are pretty...
• The synergy of ugliness is unbearable
• Shockingly unattractive

Other comments found on the leaked HYBE 'weekly report':

• The physical difference is quite painful to see. When I think of Stray Kids' Changbin, who was almost the same height during the NMIXX challenge, it makes me even sadder. It's especially hard because he is friends with NMIXX and seeing them together in the camera makes my heart ache even more.
• Of course, performing on stage and hosting well is important, but Yeonjun just standing there holds significance. It just so happened that the interview team included NCT DREAM and Stray Kids', and both groups were physically overshadowed by Yeonjun to the point that it felt almost uncomfortable to watch.
• If LE SSERAFIM combines the strengths of BLACKPINK and TWICE, it would be possible for them to fill the gap left behind by major girl groups.

In addition to the weekly reports containing dehumanizing comments, HYBE was also accused of inflating album sales figures through questionable tactics (bulk-buying), or in K-pop terms, 'sajaegi'. The audit revealed data that showed HYBE's sold albums with a "returnable condition" - to boost first-week sales and for promotional purposes, and that the unsold albums are later returned.

With all the negative issues surrounding HYBE due to the ongoing audit, fans and netizens expressed their utmost disappointment at the agency.

SM, JYP, YG have definitely had competitions with each other for years. But they did it through music and their talents and their artistry.

These fuckers (HYBE) talk about appearances of other idols!??!?! pic.twitter.com/8pIP3Xo0NT

— BaidiVIP (@Mazztate2) October 26, 2024

hybe’s biggest fears: pic.twitter.com/BjwhVbR78p

— ezi ★ (@cuntrs) October 26, 2024

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-ho, CEO of Belift Lab and COO of Hybe, attended the audit and attempted to do damage control by explaining that the leaked report was just a collection of online comments gathered by HYBE staff to monitor the general public's sentiments. While the audit was ongoing, HYBE released a statement on its official website, clarifying the report's purposes by saying "These evaluations are not the company's official stance. We will hold accountable those who leaked the report." This was frowned upon by the assemblymen, who exposed the reports, and HYBE had to delete their statement right after.

One of the most shocking moments from the recent National Assembly

HYBE released a statement (while the audit was still ongoing) threatening the people who exposed their internal report, when the ones who actually exposed it were the lawmakers themselves pic.twitter.com/eiiHqr0e5H

— shie (@shiecollects) October 26, 2024

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