Amid indications of a deepening conflict between HYBE and ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, tensions have escalated. Notably, various allegations have now extended to BTS, the flagship group of HYBE, sparking the ARMY fandom into collective action.
According to sources in the music industry on April 3, ARMY, under the collective name of “BTS fans ARMY,” fans issued a full-page statement as an advertisement in a newspaper regarding the ongoing allegations against the group. ARMYs demanded that “HYBE and Big Hit Music must address baseless allegations and defamation against BTS responsibly. They should promptly announce their legal actions and the progress made.“
Additionally, they urged, “Chairman Bang Si Hyuk of HYBE and CEO Park Ji Won should refrain from using BTS as a shield to deflect the agency’s internal and external issues.“
ARMY emphasized their stance, stating, “Our support is for ‘BTS,’ not HYBE.” They cautioned, “Agencies failing to protect their artists have no justification for their existence. We understand that failure to fulfill these obligations could lead to contract termination.”
Some ARMY members took further action by dispatching protest trucks bearing slogans such as “When will artists be protected?” to the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul. They also announced intentions online to send condolence wreaths adorned with protest messages to the agency.
Before this, HYBE had lodged formal complaints with investigative agencies regarding false information and defamation targeting BTS. These allegations encompassed accusations of chart manipulation, concept plagiarism, alleged association with a cult, and suspicions of engaging in pseudo-religious activities.
Meanwhile, all BTS members have been serving in the military since December of last year. Jin, the eldest member, who enlisted first and is currently serving in the 5th Division Training Center of the Army, is scheduled to be discharged on the 12th of next month.
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