HYBE was criticized by fans for its reported plans to debut new K-pop girl groups under SOURCE MUSIC and PLEDIS Entertainment.
On Jan. 1, netizens gathered in a community forum, titled, "HYBE Reveals They'll Release Two Other Girl Groups." The author of the post (OP) then uploaded a screenshot of a report from Korean news outlet Sports Chosun, which relayed the 2025 plans of "Big 4" K-pop companies SM, JYP, YG, and HYBE.
In the forum, the excerpt started with the activities of SEVENTEEN members Jeonghan, Hoshi, Wonwoo, and Woozi, who will be enlisting in the military and "filling the gap" with unit and solo schedules. This was followed by plans to further the careers of TXT, ENHYPEN, BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, LE SSERAFIM, and ILLIT.
However, it announced that new K-pop girl groups will debut under SOURCE MUSIC and PLEDIS Entertainment.
"SOURCE MUSIC and PLEDIS are releasing new girl groups," it stated.
"With this (endeavor), HYBE will establish its status as a giant dinosaur with the largest number of active artists among Korean entertainment agencies."
READ MORE: HYBE, SM, JYP, and YG's Debut, World Tour & Comeback Lineup in 2025 Revealed: BLACKPINK, BTS, More!
HYBE reveals that Source Music and Pledis are both preparing girl groups for next yearhttps://t.co/lb5FgfkNSo pic.twitter.com/ydxFnVdqv1
— pannchoa (@pannchoa) January 1, 2025
In the comments, both domestic and international fans drew outrage towards HYBE, SOURCE MUSIC, and PLEDIS for seemingly prioritizing quantity over quality in their group roster.
"Are they a factory?" one netizen remarked.
"Can't they let their other groups marinate a bit?" a second one stated. "Every d*** year, they bring out multiple groups."
A netizen worried, "PLEDIS is going to ruin another girl group."
