Reporter Exposes HYBE Allegedly Trying To Downplay Newjeans’ Achievements Via Audio File, HYBE Attempts To Explain Itself

HYBE released an official statement addressing allegations that they had belittled NewJeans, a group under their subsidiary label ADOR and attempted to downplay their achievements after a reporter exposed them via audio file.

On September 25, Jang Hyung-woo, a journalist from Seoul Newspaper, made allegations on CBS Radio ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’, stating that HYBE had attempted to downplay NewJeans’ success among several other accusations against its PR department.

Jang Hyung-woo also released a recording of a conversation with HYBE’s PR head, stating, ‘Most of what we talked about over the phone ended up in articles by other media outlets. Additionally, in May, the head of HYBE’s PR came to my company and showed me captured KakaoTalk messages from Min Hee Jin. Shortly afterward, articles based on these screenshots appeared in the media. The whole situation could only be seen as the company’s stance. If it was a personal deviation of the PR representative, I wouldn’t have reported it.’

Journalist Jang said, ‘After I wrote articles on July 17th about NewJeans’ Tokyo Dome concert, their performance in Japan, and HYBE’s stock prices, I received a request for correction from HYBE’s PR representative. Fact corrections should be accepted, but they made comments that distorted and belittled NewJeans’ achievements, which were hard to understand logically.’

Jang disclosed on the broadcast that a HYBE PR official had said NewJeans’ achievements in Japan were not as good as expected and that NewJeans members were gaslighted by Min Hee Jin, the former CEO of ADOR.

He also said that the company had a golf session invite with his boss to win favors with the media outlet.

He also revealed a recorded phone conversation in which this was discussed.

In response, HYBE issued a lengthy statement attempting to refute the journalist claims.

They argued on the broadcast, ‘HYBE’s PR department has always done its best for ADOR. Even though a management dispute (centered around Min Hee Jin) is ongoing, we have worked to widely promote the achievements and significance of NewJeans’ second and third singles. When necessary, we actively request corrections or amendments to articles.’

HYBE also said, ‘On today’s CBS Radio ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show,’ Jang Hyung-woo, a journalist from Seoul Newspaper, mentioned NewJeans’ concert in Japan on July 17th, writing that the concert was a success with ‘1.02 million albums sold in Japan alone.’ However, as of that time, about 50,000 copies had been sold in Japan, and over 900,000 copies were sold domestically. As a corporate PR representative, I could not leave this incorrect information as it was, so we requested a correction.’

HYBE continued, ‘If, as the article mentioned, 1.02 million copies were sold in Japan alone, it could lead to speculation that tens of millions were sold globally. Leaving incorrect information uncorrected could cause significant confusion among the market and investors, which is why we requested the correction. As a corporate PR representative, we have no reason to speak negatively of NewJeans’ achievements.’

They further explained, ‘HYBE PR dispatched personnel to ensure close media coverage of NewJeans’ fan meeting at the Tokyo Dome and provided support to facilitate smooth media coverage and positive reports. It was also HYBE PR that proposed to the label to assist with media coverage of the pop-up store, in order to highlight NewJeans’ popularity in Japan from various angles. As a result, numerous articles reviewing the concert and covering the pop-up store could be published.’

Regarding the claim that a PR team member had said ‘the NewJeans members were gaslighted by Min Hee Jin,’ HYBE explained, ‘The journalist asked, “With less than 20% of shares, how can a takeover be possible?” The term was used during the answer explaining that in the entertainment industry, when the producer and artist are strongly bound, such attempts can be made regardless of share ownership.’

HYBE also addressed the allegation that their PR team expressed an intention to host a golf event for a Seoul Newspaper executive, stating, ‘The golf schedule with the department head of the relevant media outlet was arranged back in May, long before the phone recording in question. However, as circumstances changed, we judged it inappropriate to proceed during a sensitive time and thus canceled the event.’

HYBE added, ‘Journalist Jang Hyung-woo recorded a work-related call with the PR representative and leaked it to the opposing side (Min Hee Jin). In July, we sent a formal protest to the media outlet via certified mail regarding this matter. Despite this, he appeared on the broadcast and disclosed the contents of the call under the guise of a ‘tip-off,’ without the consent of the other party involved. This is a serious violation of journalistic ethics, which should be impartial, and we will respond firmly.’

Despite HYBE’s attempts to explain itself, reactions from k-netizens remain mostly cold.

What do you think of this?

Source: A