Netizens Express “Goosebumps” Over HYBE’s Internal Report on BLACKPINK and EXO Fandom Rivalries

Controversy Surrounding HYBE’s Internal Report on K-Pop Idols

The entertainment giant HYBE is currently facing scrutiny due to a controversial internal report that allegedly disparages other K-pop artists. This extensive 18,000-page document was initially brought to light by Min Hyun-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during a National Assembly Audit on October 24, 2024, while questioning the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Kim Tae-ho.

Revelations from Inside HYBE

Recently, an individual claiming to be associated with HYBE leaked additional content from the report, sparking further outrage. These new pages highlight observations concerning prominent groups like BLACKPINK and EXO, particularly focusing on the intense rivalry among their respective fanbases. One alarming detail revealed that fans of BLACKPINK’s Jisoo filed complaints against Dior for featuring a photo of Kim Yuna ahead of Jisoo.

Impact of Fan Complaints

The report emphasized the detrimental effects that fan complaints can have on the idols themselves and the wider community. Notably, it pointed out that fans of Jisoo had allegedly spread rumors concerning BLACKPINK’s Rosé, linking her to both drug allegations and rumors about her dating life. The document stated:

“The suspicions that Rosé’s dating rumor and illegal drug rumor were both spread by Jisoo’s fans has come up again, and is a topic that crawls back up again every once in a while so it may be a good issue to bring up around right around the timing of her solo promotions.”

Viewership Predictions and Internal Assessments

The internal document also examined EXO’s D.O. (Lee Kwang-soo), specifically discussing his appearance on the tvN show ‘Green Bean, Red Bean,’ which failed to meet expected viewership ratings of 3.4%. Despite being helmed by renowned producer Na Yeong-seok, the low performance led to predictions that SEVENTEEN, another group under HYBE, would continue with their scheduled plans despite EXO’s disappointing ratings.

Fan Reactions and Backlash

Fans of both BLACKPINK and EXO expressed disbelief at the level of detail regarding their idols in HYBE’s internal report. One fan shared on X:

“Every time I read exo pages I got goosebumps.. a whole 3 pages just for them in 2023 their inactive year!!”

This revelation has led to widespread criticism of HYBE for allegedly engaging in “reverse virality”tactics. Netizens voiced their discontent, with one user commenting:

“And HYBE was caught admitting to reverse virality by spreading negative comments about other company’s artists through online forums and chats. How low can HYBE go?”

Insights on BLACKPINK’s Lisa and EXO-CBX

Further findings from the report discussed BLACKPINK’s Lisa and the fallout from her performance at the Crazy Horse Show in Paris, which reportedly harmed her public image. The report stated:

“Her public image collapsed after the ‘Crazy Horse Show’ in Paris. She may have wanted to emphasize empowerment through her act, but it was a naive decision to perform at a burlesque show without broader context.”

Additionally, the report delved into EXO-CBX’s ongoing legal battle with SM Entertainment over a breach of contract. It criticized the group’s legal representation, claiming the choice of “bad lawyer”adversely affected Baekhyun’s public image while Chen and Xiumin’s visibility suffered.

Recent Developments

In the wake of the controversy, HYBE took swift action by terminating the Weverse director responsible for compiling the report. CEO Lee Jae-sang publicly apologized for the scandal, stating that the document was merely a compilation of fan commentary.

This incident continues to spark discussions around ethical practices within the K-pop industry, highlighting the intense competition among entertainment companies and the ever-widening gap between fandoms. As the landscape evolves, many fans are left questioning the impact of such internal reports on the industry’s culture.

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