Kpop4Planet, an eco-conscious fan group united to fight environmental damages caused by the music industry, has announced the results of its "2024 Sustainable K-pop Awards."
The ceremony unfolded in front of the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, after the survey, which ran from November 16 to December 17 last year, collected insights from over 10,000 fans about the entertainment industry's environmental practices.
HYBE, home to superstars BTS and SEVENTEEN, bagged two dubious awards: "Environmental Pollution of the Year" and "The 'Hottest' Entertainment Company of the Year."
The company was awarded for having the most excessive album marketing, which Kpop4Planet noted contributed to increased waste and pollution, according to the Korean outlet Newsis.
[🎞️] Congratulations, @HYBEOFFICIALtwt wins 2 Awards!
— KPOP 4 PLANET (@kpop4planet) January 16, 2025
🏆 The ‘Hottest’ Entertainment Company of The Year
🏆 Sustainable Fan-call Rookie
at Kpop4planet’s 2024 Sustainable K-pop Awards Thanks to k-pop fans all around the world! #SustainableKpopAwards #plasticalbumsins https://t.co/BX73PATTUU pic.twitter.com/hINTUfPxI8
READ MORE: ATEEZ's Hongjoong Allegedly Takes A Shot At HYBE Labels And Bang Si Hyuk In Fiery New Diss Track
As K-pop expands its influence in the global market, physical album sales have surged to determine artists' standings in the industry.
With this, labels have implemented various strategies to boost sales, such as giving rare photocards, using albums to give random fan meeting tickets, and releasing albums with multiple covers to entice collectors.
In the protest resembling an awards ceremony, the organization revealed lightstick-inspired trophies engraved with HYBE's name, alongside plaques highlighting the company's contribution to the environmental crises.
Seventeen's fans allegedly bulked ordered the artist's albums to just throw them all in the streets of Shibuyahttps://t.co/oYmaATni0M pic.twitter.com/PcvSO2SkGp
— pannchoa (@pannchoa) May 1, 2024
idk we should stop being hypocrites and actually care about the problem since EVERYONE else does it. no one is safe from this including your fandom https://t.co/OAEsagiwAZ pic.twitter.com/iNShXOZKen
— les (@noncheolants) May 18, 2024
"HYBE's wasteful win. The Sustainable K-pop Awards 2024. A low point or a turning point," read one banner during the protest.
HYBE takes pride in its sustainability management and expresses its hope to lead a positive change in the industry. However, the company faced backlash following Kpop4Planet's announcement.
The criticism intensified when the company was awarded first place in the "Let's Go for Eco-Friendly Fan Meetings in the New Year" initiative (Sustainable Fan-call Rookie) on the very day of the protest.
Meanwhile, trailing behind HYBE are YG, SM, and JYP Entertainment, which ranked second to fourth place in order.
