"Is it really true?" — Internet reacts as HYBE faces allegations of secretly investigating NewJeans fans for allegedly spreading malicious content

On October 3, 2023, a netizen posted on the Korean online forum TheQoo, alleging that HYBE was privately investigating NewJeans' fans. The post was titled, "HYBE is now resorting to investigating the identities of NewJeans' fans." Furthermore, the user who made the post identified themselves as a NewJeans fan.

The netizen also warned the company through their post to stop its alleged investigation into NewJeans fans and their online posts. However, several other internet users came to defend the company, highlighting that HYBE has repeatedly announced that they'll sue anyone spreading malicious content against their artists.

For the unversed, parent company HYBE and ADOR's board of directors fired Min Hee-jin as ADOR's CEO in August 2024. NewJeans expressed their displeasure against the decision and demanded reinstating Min Hee-jin as the CEO. Since then, the discord between NewJeans and the company has deteriorated further, enraging the group's fans.

Most users on X supported the company's approach of investigating fans who allegedly "crossed a line" with slanderous posts against artists. Additionally, in September 2024, HYBE launched a web portal where they urged netizens to report online tweets, posts, videos, and user accounts that have been spreading defamatory posts against its artists.

Meanwhile, an X user raised concern about the authenticity of the netizen's allegations on TheQoo against the company and wrote,

"If it is true then that was a very terrible action. But is it really true?"

Other users highlighted that anyone "who makes threats or deliberately spreads lies" against any HYBE artists should be investigated. They voiced their support towards the company's alleged investigative approach.

"Don't you understand that if a fan makes a complaint and it is not processed, Hybe has every right to find out who made the complaint and file a counter-complaint?" an X user wrote.

"Anyone who makes threats or deliberately spreads lies about artists must expect to be sued by HYBE. To do this, HYBE has to find out the directorships. Anyone who is so stupid as to post fake videos and comments on the net must receive these lessons. Self-blame, no pity," another user added.

"Ehh --- fans don't know their limits. At this point, I support hybe in this situation cause some fans really don't know boundaries. I'm not surprised that they are doing this, they have every right to do so," another user said.

However, some lashed out at the company and called it "evil" for allegedly attacking NewJeans fans.

"Not suprise, everybody know Hybe is Evil Company," an X user wrote.

"Hybe should remember without the fans there will be no kpop and there will be no hybe," another user remarked.

"How low can HYBE go?" one other user wrote.

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HYBE launches a web portal to protect artists' rights amid feud with Min Hee-jin and NewJeans

NewJeans' demand to reinstate Min Hee-jin as ADOR's CEO was rejected by ADOR's board of directors at the shareholders' meeting on September 25, 2024. Min Hee-jin has filed (on September 12) to continue with her injunction to call an emergency shareholders' meeting on October 11, 2024, to get reappointed as ADOR's CEO.

Amid all this, on September 23, 2024, HYBE announced the launch of protect.hybecorp.com—a web portal where fans can report user accounts and posts under the following categories:

• Rumor/False Information
• S*xual Harassment
• AI Deepfake Abuse
• Stalking/”Sasaeng” Behavior
• Threats to Artist's Safety
• Sale of Flight Information
• Fraudulent Viral Marketing
• Defamation/Insult

They released an official statement via their website, saying that the portal was made so that fans can contribute to protecting their favorite artists by flagging concerning and harmful posts.

"The website will replace the existing legal response hotlines, as we have integrated all artists’ reporting channels into one unified system. The portal is designed to help fans report defamatory posts and copyright infringements and will allow for faster and more systematic responses," they stated.

HYBE continued by highlighting that they closely monitor social media platforms such as Telegram, X, and Discord to thwart deep-fake content against its artists.

"We actively monitor domestic and international platforms, including Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), and Discord, for deepfake-related content. Based on the findings from our internal monitoring and the reports that we have received, we are working closely with investigative authorities to coordinate a joint response," HYBE added.

This new portal replaced HYBE's old email ID "[email protected]," where fans reported individuals spreading defamatory content against idols.

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In other news, ADOR's board appointed Kim Joo-young, HYBE's former Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), as the new CEO of ADOR. For the unversed, ADOR is a subsidiary label under HYBE Corporation and the latter owns 80% of ADOR's shares.