HYBE responded to allegations that it had age-restricted NewJeans' "How Sweet" music video. The controversy sparked discussions online, with netizens expressing their concerns and frustrations.
Netizens pointed out that HYBE had allegedly placed age and country restrictions on NewJeans' latest music video, impacting its viewership and reach. The restrictions reportedly affected the video in 14 different countries, raising questions about HYBE's motives and support for the group.
In response to these allegations, HYBE issued a statement denying any involvement in age-restricting the music video. The company clarified that they do not impose age restrictions when uploading music videos, and such distinctions are made by platforms like YouTube independently.
According to HYBE's statement to Ilgan Sports, they stated,
"HYBE does not put an age restriction when uploading music videos. YouTube makes that distinction on its own."
- "NewJeans need to leave HYBE... HYBE put restrictions for the group's single in 14 countries and put age restrictions so that the video couldn't get many views, lol."
- "I really hate Bang Si Hyuk, ㅠㅠ. I hope NewJeans and Min Hee Jin are together forever."
- "HYBE is resorting to tactics this low to stop NewJeans. I think Bang Si Hyuk is the greatest threat to K-Pop."
Despite denying involvement in the restrictions, HYBE pledged to investigate the situation further. They stated that they would reach out to YouTube to understand why the music video faced such restrictions and seek clarification.
HYBE's statement included, "We will ask YouTube for an explanation of whether the video was restricted and for what reason."
Meanwhile, NewJeans' highly anticipated album release took a sour turn when accusations of plagiarism surfaced shortly after their single "How Sweet" debuted.
A video comparing their song to others ignited controversy, with some fans suspecting HYBE's involvement in sabotaging the comeback. Social media comments raised doubts about the legitimacy of the claims and questioned the motives behind the video's release.
Some fans defended NewJeans while others expressed concern over the potential damage to the group's reputation. The YouTube account behind the video, "tearnot," raised eyebrows due to its suspicious nature and singular focus on NewJeans.
As the drama unfolded, fans speculated about possible connections between the account name and another K-pop group, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation.
Watch the full MV Of NewJeans 'How Sweet'.
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
