The HYBE vs ADOR controversy has taken a ‘spicy’ new turn as the parents of K-pop group NewJeans have accused the BTS label in a bombshell email. Following reports of the parent label appointing a new CEO for its subsidiary, Korean media outlets alleged mistreatment of K-pop stars by HYBE and its executives. The girls’ family has taken legal action, claiming that Bang Si Hyuk deliberately ignored the members’ greetings.
NewJeans’ parents exposed as HYBE in new report
On May 13, Ilgan Sports published a bombshell report detailing an email from Newgin’s parent, originally addressed to CEO Min Hee Jin and later addressed to BelIFT LAB, regarding the debut of ILLIT. (JCM’s joint venture with Big Hit Entertainment). The email outlines suggestions and concerns from parents regarding the introduction of ILLIT and was brought to light by parents and legal representatives of NewJeans members.
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Newsies’ parents cite ‘abuse’ by Bang Si Hyuk
Newjin, the K-pop girl group consisting of Minzy, Hanyi, Danielle, Hyerin, and Hyeon, is one of the most promising emerging K-pop groups, which has also received massive attention in Western media. The group, backed by HYBE’s subsidiary ADOR, has often been dragged into the ongoing feud between the labels. One of the most worrying aspects of the report was the mention of alleged ‘misconduct’ involving CEO Bang Si Hyuk.
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The founder of BigHit Music, which manages BTS, has been accused of copying Nujin’s idea for another group. Belift Lab’s intentions have also been questioned by parents, who say the company did not properly vet their ingredients and even mocked Nugenes. The parents also say that Bang Si Hyuk deliberately ignored them when the members greeted them.
“Whenever Newgins members encountered Bang Si Hyuk at the company building, we wondered why Bang Si Hyuk would pretend not to recognize the members and roll his eyes at their greeting. At first, we didn’t believe our kids, thinking, ‘Oh, he probably didn’t recognize you then,’ so we tried to verify it. Reads email.
The parents added, however, since this issue has happened multiple times, with different dates and locations, even when it was just Bang Si Hyuk and the members, we believe There is no other possibility other than recognizing that they are, in fact, Newgins.
Newz’s parents accuse HYBE of stealing the group’s concept
The parents also claimed that HYBE blatantly copied Newjin’s concepts for their new girl group ILLIT, including photography, styling, choreography, and music video aesthetics. The report highlights the dramatic and uncanny similarity between ILLIT’s concepts and those of Nugenes.
“Is there no intention within HYBE to protect the brand value of NewJeans and each member? The reason these issues are not unfounded is because there have been so many ridiculous situations.”