HYBE issued a formal apology for an internal report that included harsh critiques of K-pop idols’ appearances, acknowledging the inappropriate language and taking full responsibility. The CEO of HYBE expressed sincere regret and committed to contacting affected artists and agencies directly to apologize. The company pledged to end such monitoring practices and strengthen internal controls to prevent similar issues in the future.
HYBE Apology for Internal Report’s Offensive Remarks
A recently exposed internal report from HYBE, the leading Korean entertainment agency, has caused a public outcry. The report contained blunt and offensive comments about K-pop idol group members’ appearances, sparking controversy. On October 29, HYBE formally apologized to the affected artists, industry members, and fans in response to the backlash.
Public Apology Issued by CEO of HYBE
CEO Lee Jaesang of HYBE released a statement expressing sincere regret on behalf of the company. He acknowledged that the report was part of a monitoring process to collect industry feedback, but it included “provocative and explicit descriptions of K-pop idols.” He admitted that the report reflected individual views, not HYBE’s official position, and expressed full accountability for the content.
HYBE Apology and Direct Communication with Affected Artists
In addition to the public apology, HYBE conveyed its regret directly to artists impacted by the report’s content. HYBE assured that it had contacted each involved agency to offer apologies. The CEO also extended a formal apology to the agency’s own artists, who faced criticism and misunderstandings resulting from the incident. He pledged that the company would end the practice of creating such monitoring reports and implement stricter internal controls.
Public Calls for Legal Action Against HYBE
When this information was shared on the online community “theqoo,” known for its critical stance on HYBE, many users called for affected entertainment agencies to pursue legal action. Notably, J.Y. Park of JYP Entertainment, a close associate of Bang Sihyuk, HYBE’s chairman, was reportedly criticized in the report. “theqoo” members believe JYP should consider legal measures against HYBE, with some suggesting that the entertainment industry should collectively hold HYBE accountable.
Commitment to Reflection and Positive Change in the Industry
In his statement, the CEO expressed a commitment to self-reflection and meaningful change. He emphasized HYBE’s dedication to protecting the rights of all K-pop artists and fostering a respectful and healthy industry environment. The company pledged to establish guidelines to prevent future issues and support the positive development of the K-pop industry.
Report Disclosure During National Assembly Hearing
On October 24, Representative Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party revealed the internal report, titled “Weekly Music Industry Report,” during a National Assembly audit. This report, circulated among senior executives, included disparaging evaluations of idols’ appearances, even targeting minor idols. Criticism intensified as only a fraction of the 2,000-page report was disclosed, and the content already raised significant concerns.
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Yes, all companies do market research about their competition, but not all companies turn around and use that information to promote negative media play to their competition’s artists. Dirty play.