In a recent scandal that has sent ripples through the K-pop industry, HYBE Corporation is under fire following a report detailing offensive remarks about other K-pop artists, leaked during a National Assembly audit. The document, titled "Weekly Music Industry Report III," has garnered significant backlash for its harsh comments on the physical appearances of artists from competing agencies. Among those implicated in the controversy is rapper and KOZ Entertainment founder Zico, who clarified his non-involvement in creating or receiving the report.
According to a report by the progressive media outlet Hankyoreh, HYBE’s chairman, Bang Si-hyuk, allegedly directed that Zico be included in the recipient list of this internal document in January 2022. Following the uproar, Zico took to social media on Wednesday to dispel any rumors of his association with the report, stating, “I have never seen this document, nor have I ever opened the email. I only became aware of this through recent news coverage.” Zico further confirmed that, upon review with KOZ Entertainment, no records exist of him having accessed or received the report.
The audit session held by South Korea's National Assembly on October 24 provided a platform for Rep. Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party of Korea to present portions of the report. In it, disparaging remarks targeted K-pop idol groups from other agencies, describing some as “shockingly unattractive” or debuting “at the peak of their unattractive phase.” The offensive language used in the report has provoked strong public criticism, leading to scrutiny of HYBE's internal culture and work ethics, especially in an industry that often emphasizes public image and respect for artists.
HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang issued an official apology on the company’s website, stating, “I take full responsibility on behalf of the company and deeply regret the harm caused to the mentioned artists.” He also revealed that the report’s author had been suspended. However, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk has not yet provided any personal comments on the issue. This silence has fueled speculation about the extent of his involvement or awareness of the document’s contents.
HYBE announced the discontinuation of the internal report to prevent similar incidents. Industry insiders see this decision as an attempt to mitigate the backlash and rebuild public trust. Nevertheless, questions remain as to whether the problem lies within the individual actions of the report’s author or reflects a broader issue within the company’s culture.
Experts have highlighted that this controversy raises larger questions about the competitive environment in the K-pop industry, where artists and companies are often pitted against each other. The situation also underscores the growing accountability demanded by both fans and the public, as companies are held responsible for actions that could damage the reputations of rival artists.
This scandal has placed HYBE, one of South Korea's leading entertainment companies, under intense scrutiny. Whether the company can restore its reputation will likely depend on continued transparency and tangible changes within its internal practices.
Sayart / Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com
Zico, Courtesy of the artist's instagram
In a recent scandal that has sent ripples through the K-pop industry, HYBE Corporation is under fire following a report detailing offensive remarks about other K-pop artists, leaked during a National Assembly audit. The document, titled "Weekly Music Industry Report III," has garnered significant backlash for its harsh comments on the physical appearances of artists from competing agencies. Among those implicated in the controversy is rapper and KOZ Entertainment founder Zico, who clarified his non-involvement in creating or receiving the report.
According to a report by the progressive media outlet Hankyoreh, HYBE’s chairman, Bang Si-hyuk, allegedly directed that Zico be included in the recipient list of this internal document in January 2022. Following the uproar, Zico took to social media on Wednesday to dispel any rumors of his association with the report, stating, “I have never seen this document, nor have I ever opened the email. I only became aware of this through recent news coverage.” Zico further confirmed that, upon review with KOZ Entertainment, no records exist of him having accessed or received the report.
The audit session held by South Korea's National Assembly on October 24 provided a platform for Rep. Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party of Korea to present portions of the report. In it, disparaging remarks targeted K-pop idol groups from other agencies, describing some as “shockingly unattractive” or debuting “at the peak of their unattractive phase.” The offensive language used in the report has provoked strong public criticism, leading to scrutiny of HYBE's internal culture and work ethics, especially in an industry that often emphasizes public image and respect for artists.
HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang issued an official apology on the company’s website, stating, “I take full responsibility on behalf of the company and deeply regret the harm caused to the mentioned artists.” He also revealed that the report’s author had been suspended. However, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk has not yet provided any personal comments on the issue. This silence has fueled speculation about the extent of his involvement or awareness of the document’s contents.
HYBE announced the discontinuation of the internal report to prevent similar incidents. Industry insiders see this decision as an attempt to mitigate the backlash and rebuild public trust. Nevertheless, questions remain as to whether the problem lies within the individual actions of the report’s author or reflects a broader issue within the company’s culture.
Experts have highlighted that this controversy raises larger questions about the competitive environment in the K-pop industry, where artists and companies are often pitted against each other. The situation also underscores the growing accountability demanded by both fans and the public, as companies are held responsible for actions that could damage the reputations of rival artists.
This scandal has placed HYBE, one of South Korea's leading entertainment companies, under intense scrutiny. Whether the company can restore its reputation will likely depend on continued transparency and tangible changes within its internal practices.
