A recent controversy has erupted in the Korean entertainment industry, centering on allegations that a reporter has been paid by HYBE to conduct a smear campaign against the girl group NewJeans. The issue was brought to light on May 16 through a post on the popular Korean forum "theqoo."
The post accuses reporter Kim Ye-rang of publishing articles that defend Dahn World, a religious group suspected of having affiliations with HYBE.
At the same time, Kim Ye-rang has been responsible for several negative articles about NewJeans, including rehashing past controversies such as the "kalguksu issue."
Kim Ye-rang's reporting has drawn criticism for what appears to be a consistent bias in favor of HYBE, particularly evident during the HYBE-ADOR feud.
Her articles have frequently featured only HYBE's statements, leading to accusations of unfair reporting and potential financial incentives from HYBE to discredit NewJeans.
The accusations have sparked a significant backlash among netizens, who took to "theqoo" to voice their suspicions and outrage:
- "Such transparent actions..."
- "Just how much did HYBE pay to take NewJeans down?"
- "HYBE's attempts at a smear campaign are extremely blatant at this point."
- "Defending a cult but mocking teenage girls?"
- "What's wrong with this reporter?"
- "When are you going to sue HYBE"
- "HYBE is really creepy"
These comments reflect a growing sentiment of distrust towards both the reporter and HYBE, with many fans and observers questioning the integrity of the reporting and the motivations behind it.
This controversy raises broader questions about media ethics and the influence of powerful entertainment companies in South Korea. If the allegations are true, it suggests a troubling dynamic where media narratives can be manipulated by financial interests, potentially harming the reputations of artists and skewing public perception.
Meanwhile, NewJeans is facing accusations of copying the veteran Japanese girl group SPEED for their debut music video "Attention." This controversy follows ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin's earlier allegations that HYBE and BELIFT Lab plagiarized NewJeans' concept for ILLIT's debut.
The accusations against NewJeans surfaced on April 23, 2024, when netizens highlighted similarities between "Attention" and SPEED's 1996 video "Body & Soul," including the settings and styling.
Critics argue that Min Hee Jin, who has accused other groups of plagiarism, might have been influenced by SPEED herself, making her accusations hypocritical. Despite the controversy, NewJeans is preparing for a comeback and their debut in Japan.
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
