A wreath with a protest message against BTS’s agency Hybe is placed in front of Hybe’s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, April 3. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 6 (Korea Bizwire) –Fans of the K-pop superstars BTS are inundating social media with outrage over an ongoing government investigation into allegations of illegal music streaming manipulation involving the group.
On May 5, the hashtag “SOUTH KOREA APOLOGIZE TO BTS” trended in the K-pop category on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, with nearly 170,000 related posts from across the globe.
The messages accused South Korea of being unworthy of the internationally renowned act. “BTS was wrong to be born in Korea,” one read. “BTS made Korea globally recognized,” said another. Some went so far as to declare, “South Korea doesn’t deserve to host the 2030 World Expo.”
BTS’s powerful fandom, known as ARMY, has published full-page statements in some newspapers under the name “BTS Fans ARMY,” condemning the group’s agency, Hybe, for its “indifference” amid “tremendous damage from false news and rumors” about members unconnected to the current scandal.
On May 4, a line of condolence wreaths sent by BTS fans stood outside Hybe’s offices in Seoul’s Yongsan district, bearing messages like “We need BTS, but they’re just bulletproof vests when inconvenient,” “Endless selfish risks, we hope BTS leaves Hybe” and “You’ve gone silent on demands for statements, so we’re sending this to check if you’re still alive.”
The fan collective had previously filed for a rally permit with the Yongsan Police Station on April 30 to “urge legal action over defamation of the artists.” On May 4, they installed around 30 wreaths near the building and deployed about 10 staff to maintain them.
Protesters also hired trucks with electronic displays airing messages such as “Profuse support and affection? Such dirty tongues, Hybe has already hit rock bottom for trust,” “Are you enjoying using artists as human shields amid executives’ petty fights, Bang Si-hyuk?” and “Incompetent chairman hiding behind BTS over unfair internal management issues.”
Hybe headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul (Image courtesy of Hybe)
In an official statement on May 2, Big Hit Music, the Hybe subsidiary representing BTS, said “multiple allegations defaming BTS’s honor are false” and that it had already filed initial criminal complaints over the spread of misinformation and defamation, with more legal action to come.
The controversy stems from a 2017 case that recently resurfaced online involving a convicted criminal, identified only as Mr. A, who was charged with attempting to extort nearly 57 million won from Big Hit Music.
Mr. A had threatened to publicize “evidence of illegal marketing” by BTS unless paid, after being indicted for attempted joint blackmail related to claims of unethical album promotions by the group.
Big Hit insisted at the time that the accused’s “allegations of improper marketing activities” were “one-sided claims,” and that any online “viral marketing” referenced was routine industry practice.
A slew of additional allegations including plagiarized concepts, connections to a pseudo-religious group and other unsubstantiated claims about BTS have also surfaced amid Hybe’s highly publicized feud with Min Hee-jin, the CEO of its ADOR sublabel.
Hybe has vehemently denied all such allegations as false, saying it compiled posts circulating misinformation and defamation to file criminal complaints against the authors.
K-pop boy group BTS poses for a photo after they arrived at a military boot camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, on Dec. 11, 2023, to see off members RM and V, who entered the camp to receive five weeks of basic military training, in this photo captured from the group’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
