HYBE's separate elevator protocols for artists and employees come to light amidst Bang Si-hyuk's alleged mistreatment towards NewJeans

HYBE Corporation Chairman Bang Si-hyuk's alleged mistreatment towards NewJeans and not responding to their greetings have taken a new turn. On May 16, 2024, reports claimed that HYBE artists use private elevators, which are typically hidden and separate from the ones that are used by company employees.

Allegedly, the company artists use private elevators connected directly to the parking lots, while the employees use separate elevators, which also keeps them away from the artists' space and privacy.

This claim stemmed after reports surfaced that a parent of a NewJeans member mentioned that Bang Si-hyuk, aka Bang PD, didn't respond to the girl group's greetings and would ignore them on purpose. The parent reiterated that once, the chairman was in the same elevator as the members and yet turned a deaf ear to their greetings.

Netizens are baffled at the latest report of separate elevator protocols for HYBE artists and employees. (Image via screenshot/pannchoa)

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Netizens wonder if ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin's claims of Bang Si-hyuk's mistreatment towards NewJeans are true

When parents of NewJeans members seemingly entered the standoff, the simmering conflict between HYBE and ADOR's CEO, Min Hee-jin, took an unexpected turn. A new development was revealed in an exposé published by Ilgan Sports (Daily Sports) on May 14. It described an alleged email that the members' parents and legal representatives wrote to HYBE.

The letter, which specifically highlighted incidents in which Bang Si-hyuk reportedly ignored the greetings of NewJeans members, accused HYBE of abdicating its duties toward the ADOR organization. The HYBE founder was the target of a barrage of criticism following this disclosure.

On the Korean online forum Instiz, a report from a representative from HYBE's PR surfaced online on May 16, 2024. As per the report, the company has divided entrances so that regular employees cannot access the artists' workspace. Artists often live in their own spaces, ride a special elevator from the subterranean parking lot, and depart after work; thus, the general staff seldom ever sees them.

Furthermore, A (who wished to remain anonymous) from HYBE's PR department remarked,

"They're like unicorns in HYBE. Though not many have seen them, you hear they're out there." (as reported and translated by Koreaboo)

Meanwhile, South Korean media outlet Maeil Business reported on May 14, 2024, that the parent of a NewJeans member mentioned discussing the matter with HYBE CEO Park Ji-won. He had tried to pacify the parent and allegedly told her that Bang Si-hyuk might have prosopagnosia or face blindness and that the chairman never intended to mistreat NewJeans since he must not have clearly recognized them in the elevator.

Now, after the May 16 report of separate elevator protocols in the company, netizens were perplexed and found it an excuse. It is important to note that HYBE hasn't commented on the alleged claims of Bang Si-hyuk having difficulties with recognizing faces.

The HYBE building's elevator operations have intensified criticism against the chairman. Netizens on online Korean forums such as Instiz highlighted that despite the unique elevator protocol, Bang Si-hyuk was in the same elevator as NewJeans; hence, it was impossible not to recognize the popular girl group.

Netizens criticized the HYBE chairman for alleged elevator protocols. (Image via screenshot/Instiz)

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Meanwhile, HYBE requested further investigation against ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin for a contract breach. Min Hee-jin is accused of an illegal takeover and causing $629 million of HYBE's market value to drop by allegedly conspiring with a foreign financial advisor.