"Is there any reason to avoid answering?" — K-netz accuses HYBE of allegedly manipulating BTS' Jungkook's stance on his Instagram posts about NewJeans

BTS' Jeon Jungkook stirred the internet after he posted about NewJeans on his pet dog, Bam's Instagram account on September 14, 2024. The artist captioned the first post with, "Artists are not guilty," while the second one was captioned, "Don't use them." South Korean media outlet Edaily reported that HYBE later confirmed that day that Jungkook intended to ask Min Hee-jin to stop using NewJeans.

"We have confirmed that he posted it because he thought that under no circumstances should a young artist be dragged into a dispute and used as a shield."

However, a report surfaced that Yonhap News TV (YTN) stated that the BIGHIT MUSIC declined to comment on whether the BTS idol used the word "shield" specifically. The report went viral on the Korean internet forum, TheQoo, where netizens accused HYBE of allegedly manipulating the SEVEN singer's statement.

One netizen wrote,

"If what Jungkook said was true, you would have said yes right away. Is there any reason to avoid answering?"

A netizen commented on TheQoo. (Image via screenshot/TheQoo)

Online users have been discussing the matter online since September 14, 2024. Several non-fans lauded the BTS singer for coming forward to stand for young artists. However, some of them expressed their disappointment towards HYBE.

"It's common for companies to address such issues carefully, especially when it involves high-profile figures. As for Jungkook's support for NewJeans, it’s natural for fans to speculate about the reasons behind it, but HYBE’s response is likely just a precautionary measure to maintain harmony within their roster," a netizen said.

"Hope for transparent and respectful dialogue to keep things positive and focused on what truly matters," one other netizen commented.

"HYBE really acting like they need a whole investigation just to confirm Jungkook supporting NewJeans—like he doesn’t know how things work there already!" another netizen added.

Internet users also accused HYBE of allegedly "trying to silence their artists" while some stated that only the SEVEN singer knows what he meant by his post.

"It clearly shows that hybe is trying to silence there artists who comes to support newjeans, even they are trying to silence the biggest artist (jungkook), jk fans should see it," another netizen wrote on X.

"The best thing for jk is just to stay out of all these mess, because he’s only being kind to his juniors and sending love but they are really making it a big deal!!!" one netizen stated.

"Well there is only one person that’s knows what they meant and that is Jungkook himself. The madness needs to stop," another netizen wrote.

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BTS' Jungkook allegedly got targeted by some HYBE employees for showing his support towards NewJeans

Recently, several screenshots showing HYBE employees allegedly defaming the BTS singer for supporting NewJeans went viral online. The post and comments were from the verified HYBE workers' anonymous chat platform, BLIND.

Allegedly, HYBE employees expressed their dissatisfaction with Jungkook's Instagram posts. Several employees allegedly mocked the BTS idol for being a "thick-headed" or "stubborn" individual for showing support for NewJeans. Some defamed him for mistreating other company staff.

Fans of the BTS idol were enraged to see the comments and lashed out at HYBE. They demanded the immediate removal of those employees who had demonstrated unethical and unprofessional behavior by badmouthing the BTS singer.

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In other news, the SEVEN singer's forthcoming documentary film, I AM STILL, is scheduled to be released internationally in theaters on September 18, 2024. Furthermore, he has been serving in the Republic of Korea Army (R.O.K.A.) and will be discharged in June 2025 and reunite with his bandmates Taehyung, RM, Suga, and Jimin.