HYBE is facing accusations of orchestrating attacks against journalist Jang Hyung Woo, who alleged the company uses unethical media practices. Reporter Jang, formerly with Seoul Shinmun, recently appeared on a radio broadcast where he claimed that HYBE engaged in media control, including manipulating the public perception of ADOR girl group, NewJeans. | HYBE Jang alleged that […]
HYBE Accused Of Media Manipulation As KBS Article Of NewJeans Gets Deleted In Real-Time
This article is part of our coverage of HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. You can read more and view the entire timeline here. HYBE has been accused of pressurizing the media to remove unfavorable reports about their ongoing feud with Min Hee Jin and the clash of interest with NewJeans. NewJeans After the […]
HYBE Showcases Media Manipulation By Claiming Innocence In Min Hee Jin’s Firing Amid Lawsuit
HYBE is claiming they had nothing to do with Min Hee Jin‘s firing. Min Hee Jin | Hankook Kyungjae On September 13, HYBE responded to Min Hee Jin’s injunction. The founder of ADOR filed a lawsuit against the company, citing court orders instructing HYBE to guarantee Min Hee Jin a 5-year term as per their […]
LE SSERAFIM Levied With Damning “Sajaegi” Chart Manipulation Allegations
LE SSERAFIM and HYBE have been accused of manipulating sales numbers. LE SSERAFIM | Billboard On September 4, a post titled “LE SSERAFIM Turned The Switch On LOL” went viral. The post has since been viewed almost 40K times. HYBE In the post, the author uploaded a photo of LE SSERAFIM’s first week sales for […]
Arrest Warrant For Kakao Founder Kim Bum Soo Issued, For Manipulation Of SM Entertainment Stocks
On July 23, 2024, around 1 a.m. KST, Korean media outlets reported that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Kakao founder Kim Bum Soo for the manipulation of SM Entertainment stocks. Kim Bum Soo | Joongang He showed up at the South District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon on July […]
BTS Reportedly Will Be Investigated For “Sajaegi” Chart Manipulation, Netizens React
BTS is facing an investigation following accusations of chart manipulation. BTS | HYBE On May 21, it was reported that the Korean Creative Content Agency (KCCA), which is under the Ministry Of Culture, Sports, And Tourism, has confirmed that it has received an official complaint about BTS’s alleged Sajaegi (chart manipulation). Reports state that the […]
“Sold More Than NewJeans” — Netizens Roast ILLIT In The Midst Of HYBE’s Chart Manipulation Allegations
It was recently reported that ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin had made an explosive claim against HYBE. She had alleged that HYBE had proposed she use bulk buying to raise NewJeans‘ chart numbers. Upon refusal, it created a conflict between her and HYBE. The method that she talked about was called “advance buying,” where HYBE […]
“Gaslighting, Manipulation, Shaminism” — All You Need To Know From Min Hee Jin And HYBE’s Explosive First Day In Court
This article is part of our coverage of HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. You can read more and view the entire timeline here. Min Hee Jin‘s first day in court in her injunction hearing against HYBE has come to a close. NewJeans | ADOR On May 17, Seoul’s Central District Court held a […]
Korean Netizens Demand HYBE Be Investigated After BTS’s “Chart Manipulation” Scandal Resurfaces
A recently resurfaced court ruling against an individual involved in extortion has reignited concerns over the marketing practices associated with the K-Pop supergroup BTS. As a result, netizens are asking for HYBE and other major idol groups to be investigated. | HYBE In 2017, the Seoul Central District Court uncovered evidence of ‘sajaegi marketing,’ or […]
Was BTS Involved In “Chart Manipulation”? Court Explicitly Mentions “Illegal” And “Sajaegi” Marketing
K-Pop’s most popular boy group, BTS, was recently involved in “chart manipulation” allegations after a past legal feud between BIGHIT MUSIC and an individual known as “Mr. A” resurfaced on online spaces. Though the company denied all accusations, Kyunghyang has reported that the judiciary and investigative authorities explicitly referred to the incident as “chart manipulation,” “illegal […]
Block B’s Park Kyung Ordered To Pay 30 Million KRW To Lim Jae Hyun Following False Accusations Of Chart Manipulation
Block B‘s Park Kyung has been ordered to pay soloist Lim Jae Hyun ₩30.0 million KRW (about $ 22,800 USD) following his false accusations of chart manipulations against Lim Jae Hyun. According to an exclusive report from Ilgan Sports, the Seoul Eastern District Court’s civil affairs unit ruled in favor of Lim Jae Hyun, ruling […]
Watchdog Group Who First Alleged “Produce” Manipulation Demands Answers From Mnet For “Boys Planet”
A watchdog group that first alleged Mnet‘s Produce series was manipulating votes demanded answers from Mnet for Boys Planet. Poster for Boys Planet | Mnet The watchdog group, Produce Truth Committee (translated from 프로듀스 진상규명위원회), released a statement on April 11 demanding Mnet address allegations of vote manipulation on Boys Planet. Allegations stem from the […]
Police Raids Kakao After Suspicions Of Stock Manipulation During The SM Entertainment Acquisition
Kakao and Kakao Entertainment were raided on April 6, 2023, by the Prosecutors and Financial Supervisory Service due to allegations of stock market manipulation. An investigation has begun to determine whether or not their mass stock acquisition was done under market price manipulation. Around 40 investigators and Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) special judicial police officers […]