“This is Sabotaging” – Fans Express Outrage Over HYBE & Geffen Records Allegedly Withholding BTS Taehyung’s Layover Vinyl in US Stores

On October 18, 2024, the vinyl edition of BTS member Taehyung’s debut album Layover became available for purchase throughout the United States and Europe. However, just two days post-launch, reports surfaced indicating that Layover vinyls were absent from the shelves of Targetstores across the US.

A US fan account dedicated to BTS and Taehyung, @ustaetae, posted a photo showing a Target store on October 20. The image allegedly pointed to the missing display of Layover vinyls. The post included an unsettling message:

“I visited two Target locations today, but neither had <Layover> available for viewing. The store manager informed me that they were instructed by the distributor to place them on display starting October 24, hence their invisibility at Target!”

This situation rapidly garnered attention, prompting BTS fans to vocalize their discontent online towards HYBE and Geffen Records. Many expressed their frustration, accusing the companies of undermining Taehyung’s sales during the crucial first week.

“Why have US retailers been told to hold off on displaying Layover vinyls until the end of the first Billboard tracking period? This seems like an intentional move against V’s first-week sales in the US!”

Numerous other comments echoed similar sentiments, with some fans accusing Taehyung’s label of unprofessionalism, while others pointed fingers at BIGHIT for continuously hindering the artist’s progress.

“Why promote the release of the Layover vinyls in the US for 10/18 just to restrict their display at Target until the following tracking week? Why complicate access to V’s music? @BIGHIT_MUSIC @GeffenRecords are acting unprofessionally and corruptly!” one fan exclaimed.

“This is ridiculous. They really don’t want his first-week sales to thrive. The same issue arose with Layover. Let’s hope he can part ways with that label for his future solo work,” another fan added.

“It’s outrageous…there’s a Target circular promoting it. This mirrors @GeffenRecords’ silence regarding Layover until the week after its release. @bts_bighit @BTS_twt @BIGHIT_MUSIC, how is this acceptable? How does this align with the ‘family’ narrative, constantly hindering one member?” complained another user.

Several fans were perplexed over why Geffen Records, as the distributor, issued such contradictory directions. One individual remarked that this situation was entirely unacceptable.

“I fail to see why the distributor would instruct stores to display it starting October 24! Is this aimed at sabotaging the first-week sales?” another fan questioned.

“This is absolutely outrageous!” expressed another X user.

“Stating that the vinyls will only hit stores on the 24th is absurd, orchestrated by companies simply to derail sales. You remain silent while Taehyung faces immense sabotage, and I don’t wish to hear complaints when he doesn’t reach the top slot on the Billboard charts,” a fan voiced.

“As a label, if you can’t recognize your top-selling and highly sought-after artist to offer the necessary support—then you’re failing!” another user remarked.

BTS’ Taehyung’s debut solo album Layover was released in September 2023

Taehyung’s inaugural solo project, Layover, debuted on September 8, 2023. It features pre-release R&B and jazz tracks such as Love Me Again, Rainy Days, For Us, Blue, and Slow Dancing (Piano Version). The album’s vinyl tracklist mirrors that of the original release.

Upon its release on October 18, the Layover LP quickly became sold out at several major UK record retailers, including the BTS Official UK Store, Record Store UK, Polydor, and The Sound of Vinyl.

This was particularly noteworthy as the vinyl had only recently been made available. Pre-orders commenced on August 20 and were sold out by September 1. It sold out again on October 18, merely hours after its launch.

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