National Petition demanding HYBE’s solo hearing in regards to alleged misconduct surpasses 50k signatures

A petition against HYBE Corporation has gained over 50,000 signatures, prompting a formal review by South Korea’s National Assembly. The petition accuses HYBE of unfair and defaming practices against other companies and K-pop entities, as evidenced by a viral "internal document." It also highlights systemic gaps in artist welfare and intellectual property regulations.

This is HYBE's second petition-related controversy this year, following allegations of workplace harassment involving a member of NewJeans. The company has faced ongoing criticism, including disputes with executives and plagiarism claims. Consequently, it remains to be seen whether this matter will reach the highest legal authority in South Korea.

---

HYBE to reportedly face a parliamentary hearing over the ‘internal document’ scandal

A recent petition filed against HYBE Corporation, the company behind BTS, has garnered significant public attention since its submission. Filed on October 15, 2024, the petition focuses on alleged misconduct by the company, including accusations of producing and distributing reports that disparage competitors, monopolizing through their Weverse platform, and engaging in unfair trade practices such as internal dealings and market manipulation.

Additionally, concerns about labor rights violations, inadequate environmental and social governance (ESG) measures, and unregulated corporate lawsuits are central to the petition’s demands.

The petition also highlights systemic gaps in regulations concerning artist welfare and intellectual property within the entertainment industry. The filer expressed a desire for a transparent parliamentary hearing to thoroughly investigate these allegations.

The ultimate goal is to amend or introduce laws that strengthen corporate accountability, labor protections, and fair competition practices in South Korea's entertainment sector. This public outcry has reignited discussions about ethical practices in the highly competitive K-pop industry.

The petitioner stated:

“It is time for the various allegations surrounding this company’s management and business activities to be thoroughly uncovered. Through a transparent and fair investigation via a hearing, we hope for the establishment of new laws and improvements to existing ones to uphold the principles of a rule-of-law society in South Korea.”

Notably, this is the second petition targeting HYBE in recent months. An earlier petition from October 2024 addressed allegations of workplace harassment involving NewJeans’ member Hanni. That petition also reached the required number of signatures but was dismissed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, citing that Hanni did not qualify as a worker under the Labor Standards Act.

However, these controversies continue to underscore structural gaps in labor laws governing the entertainment industry, especially concerning non-traditional employment arrangements.

HYBE has faced consistent scrutiny throughout 2024. Earlier controversies included disputes with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, allegations of plagiarism by groups under its label, and the concealment of an employee’s death attributed to overwork.

The company's "Music Industry Report," which included evaluations of K-pop idols' appearances, further fueled public criticism. These issues were addressed during a national audit, highlighting both ethical concerns and inadequate oversight within the industry.

With the petition now requiring formal review by the National Assembly, discussions are expected to move forward to determine whether the case will be escalated to a parliamentary hearing or legislative intervention.