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On September 15, 2024, social media erupted with controversy after screenshots surfaced showing HYBE employees allegedly badmouthing and disrespecting BTS' Jungkook for supporting NewJeans. These discussions reportedly took place on a company app called Blind, where users could leave comments anonymously.
The controversy began when Jungkook posted a picture of his dog Bam on Bam's official Instagram account along with the caption, "Artists are not guilty," along with five heart emojis. He also posted another picture of Bam along with the caption, "Don't use them."
Fans of NewJeans assumed these posts were a show of support for the girl group amid their ongoing dispute with HYBE, as the colors of the hearts matched those of the NewJeans members and the bicep emoji hinted at the strength gesture.
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Meanwhile, fans were outraged to see HYBE employees allegedly defaming the BTS idol for mistreating company staff. They alleged that the singer is the "most stubborn" person in the company and is set to ruin HYBE. Fans lashed out at the company for hiring people who showed unprofessional behavior. One fan on X tweeted:
"HYBE INVESTIGATE INTERNAL STAFF STOP SABOTAGING JUNGKOOK"
The BTS ARMY and NewJeans fans united under the post and expressed their disappointment towards HYBE staff who were allegedly "spreading rumors" against the BTS idol for supporting NewJeans.
"HYBE employees dragging Jungkook after his public support for NewJeans, swearing at him & spreading rumors that he harasses them…This is the toxic work environment that NewJeans are surrounded by and falsely claims to the media that they would “protect them,”" one fan wrote.
"Hybe employees are making fun of jungkook, calling him an “idiot” after he showed support to newjeans… they’re all nasty," an X user said.
"Need all of them fired NEOW @BIGHIT_MUSIC @HYBEOFFICIALtwt... Find them and fire them, WATCH HOW YOU SPEAK ABOUT HIM," another fan said.
Others underscored that if the company could treat their biggest artist with such profanity, then other artists are in danger too.
"I think this should open all of our eyes. even the seniors are receiving such treatment. None of these artist are being treated with the respect they deserve and its time yall join this hybe boycott if haven’t already," one other fan retorted.
"Hybe litteraly have the most unprofessional staff cause wtf is this? why tf did you have to call him names just because you did not agree with his opinion??" another fan stated.
"Hopefully this shows everyone that HYBE is the common enemy and everyone should put their energy towards hating on the company instead of hating on groups," one fan commented.
BIGHIT MUSIC goes on record regarding BTS' Jungkook's post about NewJeans
In response to Jungkook's Instagram posts, HYBE subsidiary BIGHIT MUSIC addressed the matter. They clarified that the BTS idol's posts were meant to protect all rookie artists and not only NewJeans. As reported by Edaily, BIGHIT MUSIC stated:
"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."
For the uninitiated, the conflict between HYBE and NewJeans centers on Min Hee-jin's reappointment as ADOR's CEO. During a live YouTube video earlier this week (September 11), NewJeans members voiced their complaints about the detrimental effects of Min Hee-jin's departure on their general work atmosphere and creative process.
The livestream showed alarming tales about the new ADOR administration under CEO Kim Joo-young. NewJeans' Hanni shared that a HYBE manager allegedly told members of another group to disregard Hanni. Furthermore, NewJeans directly addressed HYBE and urged them to reinstate Min Hee-jin as ADOR's CEO by September 25, 2024.
Lee Jae-sang, HYBE's new CEO, underlined that HYBE is managing the matter following its established procedures. He also spoke of an independent investigation into claims of workplace harassment made by NewJeans members.
