Title: K-pop Industry Rocked by Explosive Tell-All Broadcast
The K-pop world was sent into a frenzy after a live broadcast featuring Min Hee-Jin, the producer of the popular K-pop act NewJeans, aired last month. The broadcast, which took place in a plain auditorium with no flashy elements typical of K-pop, included screenshots of chats between industry power players and sparked a heated feud between Min Hee-Jin and Hybe, the K-pop giant behind BTS.
The public and hostile dispute between Min Hee-Jin and Hybe has led to accusations of corporate malfeasance, including plagiarism, chart rigging, and shamanism, resulting in a significant drop in Hybe’s market value. This controversy has also cast a shadow over NewJeans, Hybe’s rising star, while BTS is currently on hiatus due to mandatory military service.
The conflict between Min Hee-Jin and Hybe highlights the power struggles and hierarchal dynamics within the K-pop industry. As the creative force behind NewJeans, Min Hee-Jin’s pushback against Hybe and its founder, Bang Si-hyuk, has resonated widely in South Korea.
Hybe, formerly known as Big Hit, rose to prominence in the K-pop scene primarily due to the global success of BTS. However, concerns about replicating BTS’s profitability have caused Hybe’s market value to plummet. Despite this, Hybe has seen success with other groups like Seventeen and Tomorrow X Together and has expanded its reach in the United States.
The feud between Min Hee-Jin and Hybe escalated when Hybe announced an audit of Ador, a subsidiary run by Min Hee-Jin, accusing her of attempting to illegally take control of the company. This led to a public confrontation between Min Hee-Jin and Hybe, with Min Hee-Jin alleging unfair compensation and plagiarism of her work.
The dispute has sparked rumors and controversies within the K-pop community, tarnishing the image of beloved acts. Fans have expressed disappointment and frustration, with some even taking out advertisements and protesting outside Hybe’s offices.
As the legal battle between Min Hee-Jin and Hybe unfolds in court, industry experts believe that this conflict will serve as a learning opportunity for other agencies in the K-pop industry to effectively manage their companies. The future of NewJeans, Hybe, and the K-pop industry as a whole remains uncertain as the fallout from this explosive feud continues to unfold.
