The National Assembly Blasts HYBE For Internal Documents Revealing Defamatory Remarks About Other Agencies Groups + HYBE’s Response Gets Severe Backlash
HYBE is being heavily criticized after the national assembly hearing its COO attended!
This became a major controversy that shook the final session of the 2024 National Assembly Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee’s audit as allegations surfaced that HYBE had been regularly producing industry trend review internal documents that included appearance evaluations of minors of other kpop agencies.
Democratic Party lawmaker Min Hyung Bae questioned Kim Tae Ho, COO of HYBE and CEO of Belift Lab, regarding these “appearance evaluation materials” during the comprehensive audit on the 24th of October. According to materials presented by Representative Min, HYBE’s internal “industry trend review documents” included statements like, “They debuted members when they were at their ugliest age, none of them have idol-like features,” “The plastic surgery was overdone,” “It’s related to appearance or sex appeal,” “It seems like SM’s aesthetic itself has changed,” and “The other members are shockingly ugly.” However, the specific artists being referred to were not disclosed.
Representative Min criticized HYBE, stating, “These low-quality evaluations of minors reflect the company’s dehumanizing attitude towards idols.”
In response, Culture, Sports, and Tourism Minister Yoo In Chon also remarked, “The expressions used are quite severe. If these were aimed at employees or family members, it would be excessive.”
HYBE COO Kim Tae Ho explained, “As a K-pop company, we carefully monitor what the public and the industry think about HYBE’s artists and K-pop in general. The document you see is one such example.” Regarding the controversy over appearance evaluations of minors, he added, “This does not represent HYBE’s official stance or opinion. The document was a compilation of various online comments.”
The issue seemed to settle during the audit session, but later that evening, HYBE escalated the situation by releasing an official statement on its website. In a post titled “HYBE’s Official Position,” the company claimed, “A few sensational parts of the report were taken out of context and made to appear as if HYBE created a document criticizing its own artists. We will hold those responsible for leaking this accountable.”
This statement sparked anger from Representative Min, who pressed COO Kim Tae Ho further during the audit. Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee Chairman Jeon Jae Soo also expressed frustration, stating, “It is inappropriate to release such a statement during a National Assembly audit. This undermines the seriousness of the session. Issuing such a statement while a witness is being questioned makes the audit meaningless. It’s an irresponsible response. Does HYBE think the National Assembly is that insignificant?”
In the end, HYBE’s COO Kim Tae Ho bowed his head in apology. He said, “This was clearly our fault. We fully understand the importance of the audit and had no intention of undermining the authority of the National Assembly. We sincerely apologize. There is no intention to identify or punish the person who leaked the document. Those who provide constructive criticism internally should be protected.”
HYBE subsequently removed the controversial statement from its website due to the severe backlash it received.
Source: (A)
