Jungkook of BTS recently expressed his support for the girl group NewJeans, causing a stir within the HYBE organization.
On October 14, Jungkook posted on his dog’s Instagram account alongside a photo of his pet, writing, “Artists are not guilty.” He reinforced his support for NewJeans by using emojis that included colorful Powerpuff Girls, signaling solidarity with the group. This led to a wave of reactions from employees within HYBE, with some expressing frustration and confusion about their work environment.
As discussions intensified on the anonymous employee forum Blind, various comments revealed a divide among HYBE staff. Many felt Jungkook’s post was an internal critique of the company, with remarks indicating that the situation felt chaotic and detrimental to their artists. Others speculated that the message might have been directed at former executive Min Hee-jin, stirring further debates about the implications of the post.
In response to mounting tensions, Jungkook followed up with a post saying, “Don’t use them,” while HYBE’s label Big Hit Music emphasized that young artists should never be involved in internal disputes. Furthermore, criticism of both Min and the company intensified, as posts deriding NewJeans circulated on the same forum, igniting anger among fans.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by K-pop idols and their management companies in navigating public perception and internal dynamics.