HYBE Employee Claps Back at SM Entertainment Staff For Insulting TWS

An employee from HYBE Labels has clapped back at an SM Entertainment employee after they insulted rookie boy group TWS.

TWS debuted under Pledis Entertainment on January 22, 2024. Upon debut, the boy group received shockingly positive support from the public, with their debut album topping the Circle Chart and their debut single, "Plot Twist," maintaining its spot in the top 100. The group is poised to be one of the biggest boy groups of the year.

However, it appears that not everyone is happy about that.

SM Entertainment Employee Insults TWS, HYBE Staff Claps Back

On April 11, 2024, a post titled "SM HYBE fight" went viral on the South Korean online community forum Nate Pann.

In the post, the original poster (OP) shared screenshots from the app Blind. Blind is an anonymous app that can only be accessed by verified employees of South Korean companies. Therefore, it is not available to the general public or international netizens.

In the post, a staff member from SM Entertainment shared a screenshot of TWS's song, "Plot Twist," ranking at number 11 on the Circle Weekly Charts.

They sarcastically congratulated the group, saying,

"Of course, HYBE is HYBE, after all... It is crazy that TWS has been on the weekly 50 charts. HYBE really ensures that every group they debut rises in the charts. I'm jealous."

It did not stop there, however. Another employee from SM Entertainment slammed the group, saying they only charted because of their label. Their comment reads,

"Rather than the song charting because of their efforts, the song was successful because of HYBE investing in advertisements."

However, they would soon be put in their place. An employee under HYBE Labels saw the post and left a comment to defend TWS. They dissed SM Entertainment back, saying a large number of CDs by SM Entertainment artists were collecting dust overseas. They said,

"Go collect all of your CDs overseas instead of hating, LOL."

Korean Netizens React to Beef Between SM Entertainment & HYBE Labels Employees

Many Korean netizens who saw this post were on the side of the HYBE Labels employee. People commented that it was just sad that staff from SM Entertainment felt the need to fight with another label. Some even claimed that this was a sign that the company was over.

Others said it was ironic that staff from SM Entertainment are criticizing HYBE for their marketing tactics. It was noted that SM Entertainment has been accused of media play in the past. They are stating that they often use manipulation tactics, so it is unfair for them to be overly critical of HYBE.

Some comments read,

• "The fact that they are starting with a fight with another label already means they've lost. SM, you are pitiful."
• "Honestly, without their Chinese fans, SM idols are less than average."
• "SM is getting sadder by the day."
• "SM fans always think when their artists chart, it is organic, but if HYBE artists chart, then it's manipulation. LOL."
• "I can't believe SM is complaining about viral marketing. As if they didn't buy a million copies of RIIZE's album for media play. They shouldn't have anything to say about TWS LOL."
• "SM is over. That's a fact."

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

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Written by Alexa Lopez