HYBE Responses to Allegations of Court Documents of BTS' Sajaegi Case, Stealing Concept Ideas, and Suspicions of Involvement in Cult: 'We are Currently Investigating'

On the 28th, various allegations surrounding HYBE and BTS have poured out in online communities. Regarding this, HYBE responded to a question from DongA.com whether they would release a statement, saying, 'We will look into it.'

The allegations of plagiarism started with BTS' 'The Most Beautiful Moment in Life' in 2015. BTS rose to the top of the music charts with the title track 'I NEED U' from 'The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1,' marking a significant rise compared to their previous work. 

There are parts of BTS-related court documents from 2017 circulating online. According to the reports, A was charged with joint defamation related to BTS' improper marketing, threatening company officials, and extorting 57 M KRW over 8 instances. The judge explained that A received a sentence of one year imprisonment as he exploited secrets about their business partners for their own benefit. However, the judge also said that the victims also had wrongdoings that led to A extorting money from them. The published judgment explicitly states that A 'extorted money under the pretext of improper marketing.' In BTS' defense, A's claims were one-sided, but the court disagreed. 

Additionally, the screen-captures of a post on Blue House National Petition Board in 2018 also circulated online. The post was claimed to be written by A, with the title 'BTS Illegal Digital Sales; Sajaegi? I'm the Culprit.' In the post, A stated, 'I worked on BTS' Sajaegi and had to serve one year in prison after I threatened the company because I didn't receive payment for my work. I lost everything. The company announced it was just improper viral marketing. I told the truth to the media, but they said they couldn't write anything about it, so here I am posting this here.'

B, a former model and former editor-in-chief of a magazine posted on their Twitter on the 26th and 27th, quoting a clip of Min Heejin's press conference, 'I felt resentful towards that CEO because he stole my ideas.' B explained, 'At that time, we decided together on the album title, concept, and the photographers. I got the inspiration pure from cartoons." B continued, 'After providing ideas for him, I didn't hear anything from him. Later, I saw that company looking for an art director team. I applied, but received no response." B expressed feeling unfairly treated in 2022. 

Finally, there are doubts about HYBE's connection to group C, which seems more like a cult than just a meditation group. People online noticed that C's ideas and names are similar to HYBE's, and they think BTS and other HYBE artists have promoted C directly or indirectly. They also see symbols of C in the music of HYBE artists.

theqoo

-I'm curious about their statementㅋㅋㅋ

-Wow, but isn't the court decision on plagiarism already out? What are they confirming...?

-True journalism...

-The plagiarism court decision is already outㅋㅋㅋ what will their excuse beㅋㅋㅋ

-But didn't the court decision already come out? Is there more to confirm?

-They'll probably say they're going to take legal actionsㅋㅋㅋ

-Looks like we'll see articles about it tomorrow.

-I wonder what excuse they'll come up with...

-Press conference time.

-What are they confirming when the court already confirmed it?

-There's nothing more to explain about the court decision.

-Min Hee-jin was brought in and kept as a slave, and they copied her concepts. Thieves. 

-How will they explain the plagiarism? There's already a court decision.

-But how do they confirm the court decision...? By reading it again?

Continue reading HYBE Responses to Allegations of Court Documents of BTS' Sajaegi Case, Stealing Concept Ideas, and Suspicions of Involvement in Cult: 'We are Currently Investigating'

The Reason Min Heejin Rejected to Guest in Yoo Quiz on the Block for Over a Year Before Finally Guesting on the Show

 

Q: We have been contacting you since a year ago. Why did you only decide to guest on this show now?

A: I'm a producer. If the producer is too visible, they might overshadow the singers, who should be the main focus. That's why I purposely don't appear in shows. 

She doesn't like media exposure, that's why she hasn't appeared on any TV shows all this time. When she was doing really well in SM Ent, I didn't even know how her face looked like. 

But Min Heejin finally decided to appear on Yoo Quiz on the Block due to frustration as she wasn't allowed to promote her own girl group, New Jeans. Not only that, another label launched a girl group and make it looks like she was the one who created that girl group.

But then, she got orders and instructions on how to answer the questions on Yoo Quiz on the Block;;

Park Jiwon: ADOR is scheduled to debut their first rookie girl group in 2022. The group has been highly anticipated under the name 'Min Heejin's girl group' and the members were selected through the 2019 'Plus Global Audition'. Min Heejin oversees the entire production process as the CEO of the label. 

=> This message contains the currently agreed-upon details. If it's not possible to adjust the message beyond this (information such as the members are in their 10s, have already been exposed in the media, none is re-debuting or former members of IZONE, etc), please give us a notice in advance. Please avoid disclosing too much information if possible. 

Min Heejin: ?

Min Heejin: What?

Park Jiwon: Yoo Quiz on the Block interview

Min Heejin: 'None of the members is re-debuting or former members of IZONE' - I won't directly say that Sakura is not part of my girl group. But I'll talk about all members being rookies and still in their 10s. 

Park Jiwon: That doesn't match what went out to the press

Min Heejin:Yeah, I'll make sure it matches. What doesn't match? It matches perfectly.

theqoo

(Comments will be translated soon)

Continue reading The Reason Min Heejin Rejected to Guest in Yoo Quiz on the Block for Over a Year Before Finally Guesting on the Show

Where is the place that New Jeans' Hanni wants to visit the most in South Korea?

 

Do you know Hanni?

Q: Where is the place that New Jeans' Hanni wants to visit the most in South Korea?

Minji: My home

Haerin: Blank

Danielle: Jeju Island, all together~~ Whoosh~~~ Let's go<3

Hyein: Jeju Island!

Hanni: Somewhere with baby cows

Minji: I'm done! I'm done!

아니 미치겠네
농장 장면 나올때마다 팜깅이 뮤비는 뒷전이고
진짜오로지‘소’만보고있다고 pic.twitter.com/sR8KDVkMjW

— rid.. (@DkbioA) April 26, 2024

In the end, Hanni Pham got to meet the baby cowsㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Minji: The reason Hanni calls a calf 'baby cow' is because she didn't know the word 'calf'. I just told her. 

theqoo

 -Oh, look at how small she isㅠㅠㅠ

-So cute, reallyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Can a person be this cute??ㅜㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Does she like cows?

-Where was the music video shot?

-How can such a cute creature existㅠㅠㅠ

-The way she calls it 'baby cow' instead of 'calf' is the killing pointㅜㅜㅜㅜ

-It's not a calf but a baby cowㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-They must've gone there to shoot the music video because Hanni wanted to see cowsㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I was wondering why there were suddenly cows in the music videoㅠㅠ

-Yeah, she called it 'baby cow' because she didn't know the word 'calf' when they were filming that

-Hanni actually looks like a calf...

-The way she stares at the calves is seriously so adorable...

Continue reading Where is the place that New Jeans' Hanni wants to visit the most in South Korea?

In the Midst of This Confusing Situation, Blackpink Jennie Mentions Seventeen Woozi's Song on Her Instagram Story

 

Woozi: This combination is crazy~ @woozico0914 @jennierubyjane

Jennie: I'm looking forward to Maestro☺️

theqoo

-Kim Jennie is adorable

-Cute ones being cute together

-Wow, it's surprising they know each otherㅋㅋㅋ

-Seriously, what kind of friendship is this? Mingyu from SEVENTEEN and Lisa from BLACKPINK are friends too.

-The SEVENTEEN-BLACKPINK combo is so fascinating

-Mingyu, Lisa, Woozi, Jennie are friends?? So fascinating

-Are they the same age? Probably? Interesting friendship.

-Jennie is looking forward to Maestro, so cute

-It's both fascinating and heartwarmingㅋㅋㅋ

-So they're friendst? That's interestingㅋㅋㅋ

-Why are 3rd Gen idols' friendships so nice and heartwarming

-The 12th and 13th floors of HYBE's building are operating normally...

-They're the same ageㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Their closeness feels like a clash of worlds

-Floors 12 and 13, let's all do well~~~

-Wow, since when have they been friends?

-Woozi has more friends than me. I feel betrayed. 

-They have different genres but are close friends, so it's fascinating and cute

-Did Zico introduce them to each other?ㅋㅋㅋ 

-Jihoon's connections are always surprising..

Continue reading In the Midst of This Confusing Situation, Blackpink Jennie Mentions Seventeen Woozi's Song on Her Instagram Story

Doyoung Clarifies and Apologizes for Asking Fans to Make an AI Cover of His Song

I have something to say, but it's a bit serious, so I'll do it formally!

I hope my feelings can be conveyed as clearly as possible. 

It's a bit serious, but if I don't talk about this, I feel like neither my sincere words nor the hearts of the fans who support me will be at ease, so I'll write a few words. 

When chatting with the fans on Melon, I was deeply moved after listening to Sunwoo Jung-A's 'Beginning'. I said, 'I want to listen to my own music sung by many singers with voices that I love.' However, I think I made a mistake due to my shallow thoughts. 

While preparing for this album with sincerity, I think I easily regarded the content that could distort the value of the voice of singers through AI Vocals. It was my mistake, I won't be making any excuses. I sincerely apologize to all seniors whom I mentioned, and also to everyone who loves all singers I mentioned. I want to apologize to the fans who support me for my unbecoming behavior and also apologize for creating such situation. I will think more deeply about music and also act with sincerity. 

theqoo

-I love how Doyoung acknowledges his mistakes, apologizes for his behavior, and sincerely reflects on it. 

-It's okay, people make mistakes. 

-Not a single excuse in sight, only a clear apology. 

-Many celebrities don't even apologize. It's okay as long as he's more careful in the future. 

-Let's be more careful from now on. 

-Now that he learned something from this, it's okay. He admitted his mistakes and apologized. He just needs to think and act more carefully in the future. Fighting, Doyoung!

-It wasn't a big mistake, but he apologized right away. Fighting!

-Apologizing is enough. 

-I love how he doesn't even explain about it too long and apologizes right away. People can be sensitive regarding AI, so please think more carefully from now on!

-He apologized, that's enough. 

-The feedback was quick and sincere. The post was very well-written. Apologizing is enough. Just be careful from now on!

-I know Doyoung is a good person.

-After seeing the fuss earlier, I realized the seriousness of this AI-related issue... Many people probably didn't know about it, and Doyoung might have been one of them.

-Doyoung is a good person, I'm not worried!!

-He seemed passionate and kind, I felt like he just didn't know. I'm rooting for him. 

-Doyoung, all the songs on this album are really good. Fighting!

-He recognized the mistake and apologized cleanly. Just need to avoid doing it again in the future, that's all.

Continue reading Doyoung Clarifies and Apologizes for Asking Fans to Make an AI Cover of His Song

IVE 'HEYA' Pre-Release Challenge

 

@ive.official 해야 해야 해야 이제부터 아이브 볼 때야 🌞🐅 #해야챌린지 #HEYAchallenge #해야 #HEYA #IVE #아이브 #アイヴ #REI #레이 #JANGWONYOUNG #장원영 #LEESEO #이서 ♬ 해야 (HEYA) Cut Ver. - IVE

theqoo 

-The song is really good.

-Not sure about the song, but the outfits are pretty.

-The concept is amazing, but the choreography is disappointing.

-The song is more exciting than I thought?

-The song is really good, looking forward to it.

-Is that a modified hanbok? It's pretty.

-Princess Wonyoung is so pretty.

-Who choreographed it?

-The choreography seems too focused on being a challenge, right? The song seems good though!

-The song seems good, but the choreography feels a bit bland.

-The song is good. Can't wait for the full version.

-The outfits are gorgeous.

-Who's that with the unique voice layered in between? It's catchy

-I wish the full version had more intense choreography.

-Oh, it wasn't uploaded by mistake, it was realㅋㅋ

-Seriously, the song seems well chosen, and the outfits are prettyㅋㅋ The choreography must be simplified here for the challenge, right...?

-The song is really good, I don't know about the dance, though.

-The song is kind of ambiguous, right??ㅠㅠ

Continue reading IVE 'HEYA' Pre-Release Challenge

Bang Sihyuk Can't Hold Aespa Down ... Aespa Raises Expectations for Their Comeback in the Middle of Ongoing Situation

 

Aespa is set to make a comeback with their first album 'Armageddon' which will be released on May 27th. Prior to that, on May 13th, they will first unveil the double title track 'Supernova' with another title track, along with a diverse range of genre comprising 10 tracks. 

Aespa's comeback is getting a lot of attention due to the press conference that Min Heejin, CEO of ADOR, held. Min Heejin made headlines by publicly revealing text messages with HYBE's chairman, Bang Sihyuk. The text messages took place in December 2021, just over a year after Aespa's debut, right during the time they had secured their place as the representative 4th Gen girl group with hits like 'Next Level' and 'Savage'. 

In the text messages, Bang Sihyuk asked Min Heejin, 'Can you step on Aespa?' to which Min Heejin responded with laugher. Bang Sihyuk then added a laughter and an emoji along with the message that said, 'We'll leave it to you.'

Fans interpret this exchange as Bang Sihyuk's attempt to pressure Aespa and express feelings of inferiority toward SM Entertainment. Some even speculate that Bang Sihyuk intentionally singled out Aespa due to Min Heejin's SM background.

theqoo

-Sihyuk-ah, try stepping on Aespa a hundred timesㅋㅋㅋ Will Aespa let you step on them?

-Cheers to the idol who sings well!~

-Bang Sihyuk, you damn idiot... Live kindly, won't you?

-Bang Sihyuk is embarrassing himselfㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-It's a waste of energy to curse Bang Sihyuk~ Let's do well, Aespa!

-Jjang-spa seems to be hitting it big💙🌙⭐️🦋

-At least Aespa is good at singing

-The title is so funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋ I'm not even an Aespa's fan, but I know it's going to be a big hitㅋㅋㅋ

-Aespa's new songs seem like it's going to be a big hit. They're doing the promotion properly. 

-Let's go, Jjang-spa. Let's hit even bigger!

Continue reading Bang Sihyuk Can't Hold Aespa Down ... Aespa Raises Expectations for Their Comeback in the Middle of Ongoing Situation