On June 15 and 16, HYBE held the 2024 Weverse Con Festival at the Inspire Arena. The festival consisted of numerous K-pop acts including TXT, ILLIT, ENHYPEN, fromis_9, SEVENTEEN, BOYNEXTDOOR, &TEAM, and LE SSERAFIM.
Furthermore, there were also artists from other companies such as JYJ Kim Jaejoong, Billlie, PLAVE, Chuu, Lee Sung Kyung, 10cm, BTOB Seo Eunkwang and Lim Hyun Sik, J.Y. Park, JD1, TNX, XIA, JUST B, as well as J-pop artists imase and YAOSOBI.
However, on the festival's second day (June 16), the audience went viral for one specific moment.
The June 16 lineup included JYP Entertainment founder J.Y. Park, who surprised concertgoers by collaborating with HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk, PLAVE, Baekho, fromis_9 Jiwon, ENHYPEN Heesung, ENHYPEN Jay, and TXT Beomgyu.
On platform X (Twitter), a Korean netizen uploaded a clip showing the OP "booing" Bang Si Hyuk and J.Y Park during a segment. The OP's clip also showed some of the audience making the same gesture.
if i was an idol under jyp entertainment i don’t think i could take his negative feedback seriously when this is how he performs https://t.co/OGlcpRcSlV
Bang Si Hyuk's image and reputation took a nosedive for many K-pop fans. Many have harshly criticized the HYBE founder for his controversial comment regarding aespa, reportedly ignoring NewJeans inside the establishment, removing the "K" from K-pop to enter a larger market, and many more.
In other news, on May 13, Korean news outlets revealed that Min Hee Jin had sent an email to HYBE and BELIFT LAB on April 3.
The letter was reportedly from the parents of NewJeans' members. According to sources, the email contained the sentiments of the parents surrounding the plagiarism issue between ILLIT and NewJeans, alongside Bang Si Hyuk's treatment of NewJeans.
The email also explained that the decision to declare such a report wasn't under the influence of ADOR. It also accused HYBE of neglecting NewJeans members during their time as SOURCE MUSIC trainees.
"As a leader in the K-pop industry, HYBE should provide a practical and healthy environment for its artists," the email shared. "We would like to hear their reply and restorative measures."
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