Tensions between HYBE and ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin have intensified, with allegations now involving BTS, HYBE’s flagship group, prompting the ARMY fandom into action.
On April 3, sources in the music industry revealed that under the collective name “BTS fans ARMY,” ARMY issued a full-page statement as an advertisement in a newspaper addressing 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.
Prior to this, HYBE had filed formal complaints with investigative agencies regarding false information and defamation targeting BTS.
The allegations ranged from chart manipulation and concept plagiarism to alleged association with a cult and suspicions of engaging in pseudo-religious activities.
Meanwhile, all BTS members have been fulfilling their military service obligations since December of the previous year.
Jin, the eldest member, enlisted first and is currently serving in the 5th Division Training Center of the Army. He is scheduled to be discharged on the 12th of next month.
