In a recent turn of events, BTS member Jungkook's support for NewJeans has sparked widespread debate, provoking a reaction from his agency, HYBE.
On October 14, Jungkook shared a post on his dog’s Instagram account stating, “Artists are not guilty,” alongside heart emojis representing NewJeans' song "Powerpuff Girl." This gesture was interpreted by fans as a show of support for NewJeans, who are currently embroiled in a dispute with HYBE. Just four hours later, he reiterated his stance by posting, “Don’t use them,” which further clarified his position on the matter.
In response to the growing controversy, HYBE issued a statement acknowledging Jungkook's posts. They emphasized that Jungkook's intention was to convey that under no circumstances should young artists be drawn into conflicts or used as shields, indicating a misunderstanding of his original message. However, critics argue that the statement seems to obscure the reality of the situation by not clearly addressing Jungkook's support for NewJeans.
Meanwhile, NewJeans held an emergency live session on their YouTube channel on October 11, demanding the return of former Adore CEO Min Hee-jin by the 25th of the month. This move shows the group's determination to resolve the ongoing issues with their agency and solidifies their call for transparency and support.