“You don’t have the right to so easily meddle into our story”- SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan seemingly takes a jab at HYBE amid leaked document controversy

On October 29, SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan addressed fans on Instagram about recent reports involving HYBE and alleged leaked company documents. In a heartfelt letter, he expressed his frustration over the impact of such controversies on artists' mental and emotional well-being, including criticisms of idols from other agencies like SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment.

Seungkwan stated that he could no longer remain silent, as he felt responsible for standing up not only for himself but for his band members, peers, and fans who are affected by this negativity. In his post, he described the intense pressure he and other idols experience in maintaining their careers and delivering their best to fans.

Seungkwan expressed that idols are not "pushovers" or commodities to be exploited and judged easily. He highlighted that they endure many hardships and work tirelessly to present their best to fans, despite the challenges they face. He urged people to respect idols as individuals rather than objects for profit or gossip. He wrote,

"i hope you don’t think of idols as pushovers. you don’t have the right to so easily meddle into our story. not just us, but other artists included, we are not your commodities. i hope you don’t think you can use us and benefit from us."

He shared that, despite the physical and emotional exhaustion, he continues to put forth his best efforts in appreciation of his supporters. However, he emphasized that he shouldn’t have to endure harsh, unfounded criticisms just to fulfil his role as an idol, underscoring the need for a more supportive environment within the industry.

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NMIXX's Haewon sends a note to SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan amid HYBE's ongoing controversy

For those unaware, the leaked documents were revealed in a National Assembly audit on October 24 and contained around 18,000 pages. They detailed criticisms and unverified rumours about artists, including disparaging remarks about their appearances, talents, and behaviour.

About 20 pages of the internal document leaked online, triggering outrage as fans demanded accountability from HYBE. Since HYBE acquired PLEDIS in 2020, SEVENTEEN has been part of the HYBE family, and Seungkwan’s message resonated as a call for positive change across the K-pop industry.

Additionally, the idol posted a personal note he received from NMIXX’s Haewon, who had recently sent him their album Fe3O4: STICK OUT. Haewon praised the SEVENTEEN artist's unwavering dedication and sincere approach to his art, calling him a source of inspiration for her and others in the industry. She wrote,

"Particularly for me, your music gives me so much influence/impact. It has been an energy, empathy, memories, and at times comfort. It was probably possible because of how you did everything with sincerity. I too want to grow to a point where I can gift my sincere self to someone someday. Please look after me until then."

Seungkwan’s candid letter expressed his hope that everyone in the industry could work towards a kinder, healthier atmosphere, where artists are treated with respect and empathy rather than being subjected to damaging scrutiny.

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Other SEVENTEEN members, including Wonwoo, Vernon, and S.Coups, also showed their support by commenting on the Dandelion singer's post. They echoed his message with words of encouragement and expressed their agreement with his letter.