by Reporter Lee Jaehoon
BTS is named as the biggest victim amid HYBE and ADOR dispute, according to foreign media reports and reactions from overseas fans.
A French media outlet reported on the 5th (local time) with the headline "BTS Becomes the Biggest Victim of a Corporate War." In the online article, it was reported that the seven members of BTS were involved in waves of hate and rumors online due to the fierce legal battle within HYBE. The article also pointed out that the Korean media are spreading all kinds of rumors about BTS, including allegations of affiliation with specific groups and involvement in Sajaegi.
The French media outlet also reported that while overseas media did not gain much traction due to lack of evidence, the Korean press extensively covered the issue. They mentioned that Big Hit Music has summoned legal representatives to prosecute those behind the rumors and has promised legal action after confirming the source of malicious posts. Additionally, Big Hit Music apologized for recent concerns regarding their response to rumors. They raised the possibility that HYBE might have been targeted in a smear campaign as dozens of Twitter accounts were created in April to share rumors, despite the lack of evidence. In addition, these accounts were found to have very few or no subscribers.
Furthermore, the French media outlet questioned whether a country that celebrated BTS's 10th anniversary with festivals and fireworks just a year ago is now prepared to turn its back on them. They highlighted that recently, Jungkook was selected as one of the 100 most influential Asians by Gold House, a non-profit organization supporting cultural and artistic figures in the Asia-Pacific region.
Foreign medias are not the only ones who think that South Korea is being harsh on BTS.
International ARMYs are expressing criticism on social media using hashtags like "SOUTH KOREA APOLOGIZE TO BTS" to voice their discontent with certain Korean media and public opinion.
theqoo
-What? Am I misunderstanding the meaning of rumor?
-This just makes them more unlikeable. It's really embarrassing.
-Calling the verdict a rumor?
-Korean Court: ????
-The more they try to manipulate public opinion, the more they become disliked. Just stay still...
-It's not a rumor, it's a fact that's been revealed.
-The verdict is not a rumor,,,
-They're trying to play victim now, huh? How interestingㅋㅋㅋㅋ The victims are not that group but just all the other singers who were active in the same era.
-They're even turning facts into rumors. It's clear what kind of world they've been living in.
-What a load of crapㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-South Korea is not a Bangtan Republic where Bangtan is above the law of the country.
-They're just talking nonsense.
-Their propaganda is really disgusting.
-Rumor spreaders = South Korean judges.
-What kind of article is this???
-Sue the judge then.
-Stop it, I feel like I'm going to vomit.
-It's true that the artists under HYBE became sacrificial lambs, but it's HYBE who started it all first.
-Whether they're victims or not, they should clarify first. I'm so tired of the Sajaegi case.
-Is the judge's verdict a rumor? The propaganda is disgusting and embarrassing.
