Recent leaked documents from HYBE have stirred major controversy in the entertainment industry, sparking backlash from fans, industry professionals, and even employees of competing agencies. The documents, revealed during an audit by South Korea’s National Assembly, contain statements from HYBE criticizing competitors and expressing plans that have raised eyebrows. The contents have drawn widespread attention, especially due to HYBE’s disparaging remarks about SM Entertainment’s upcoming girl group. A reaction post from an SM employee quickly went viral, intensifying online discussions and fueling industry-wide criticism.

HYBE’s Leaked Comments on SM Entertainment’s New Girl Group

During the National Assembly audit, internal HYBE documents were disclosed, revealing surprisingly blunt opinions about rival companies and their artists. Among the revelations, HYBE made critical comments about SM Entertainment’s (SM) newly planned girl group, referring to various aspects of their visuals and vocal talents in an unflattering manner.

In one of the more pointed sections of the documents, HYBE allegedly commented on the physical appearance of SM’s girl group candidates, stating:

“Suddenly, information about SM’s new girl group started circulating. About 8 candidates were shortlisted, but surprisingly, none are pretty. Considering how everyone was shocked by [redacted]’s visuals when they debuted, I wonder if SM’s aesthetic sense has changed.”

Further, the documents addressed the perceived talent levels within SM’s artists, mentioning a widely circulated excuse among SM’s fandom. HYBE reportedly observed:

“The fandom’s defense logic for a certain SM girl group was ‘the company doesn’t let the talented members shine,’ but this was completely destroyed at Coachella.”

These statements have struck a nerve among fans and employees, suggesting that HYBE may be intentionally disparaging SM’s reputation. The directness of the comments has led many to view them as overly harsh and unprofessional.

The employee reacted by marking the comments and attaching several angry emojis, indicating their frustration at HYBE and the documents. Their story then quickly went viral, with many netizens supporting the employee’s reaction and continuing to voice their disapproval of HYBE.

SM Employee’s Response Goes Viral as Netizens Back Their Reaction

Shortly after the audit, an alleged SM Entertainment employee shared their reaction to HYBE’s comments on TheQoo forum, a popular social media site among South Korean netizens. In a post that rapidly gained traction, the employee highlighted the leaked statements in an Instagram story, accompanied by several angry emojis that indicated their frustration and disappointment with HYBE’s criticisms. The viral post resonated with many netizens, particularly those who have long-standing loyalty to SM Entertainment and its artists.

Support for the SM employee’s post poured in online, as users expressed their own frustration with HYBE’s remarks. Many netizens took to social media to voice their solidarity, sharing pointed criticisms of HYBE’s comments and voicing respect for the SM employee who openly confronted the situation. Here are some of the responses that garnered attention:

“If you’re going to claim ‘other companies do it too,’ at least bring some evidence. Just making baseless accusations to defend yourself is so typical of HYBE haha.”

“This reaction is actually pretty mild. I can just imagine how HYBE employees would’ve attacked if another company had been caught criticizing HYBE artists.”

“Focus on evaluating your own trainees’ visuals instead of judging innocent kids.”

“CHEWYBE, the one and only stupid company – that’s exactly who you are.”

“How dare this nouveau riche company try to evaluate the long-standing Big 3 entertainment companies.”

This wave of criticism reflects an ongoing rivalry among major entertainment companies in South Korea. Netizens frequently draw comparisons between the so-called “Big 3” – SM, YG, and JYP – and relative newcomers like HYBE. As the entertainment landscape evolves, such intense scrutiny has become increasingly common as fans and insiders assess how each company maintains its public image.

Ongoing Impact on HYBE’s Image and Industry Reputation

For HYBE, this backlash arrives during a time of substantial public scrutiny. The company, widely recognized as the label behind BTS and NewJeans, has garnered immense global influence in recent years. However, the leaked documents, which not only target SM Entertainment but also reference internal strategies regarding their own artists, have cast a shadow on its professional image.

One detail of particular concern to fans was HYBE’s mention of possibly shifting focus away from the promotion of NewJeans to concentrate on other groups. Fans of NewJeans, one of HYBE’s newer groups, reacted strongly to this, as the group’s rapidly growing popularity has cemented their status as a leading act within HYBE’s portfolio. The suggestion of potentially deprioritizing the group’s activities raised concerns among fans who have invested in NewJeans’ ongoing success.

The audacity of HYBE’s alleged critiques of competitor agencies, alongside their potential strategic changes, has led many industry observers and netizens to question the company’s broader intentions and business practices. Some have speculated that HYBE may be taking a more aggressive stance toward its competitors to secure market dominance. However, this approach has proven controversial, especially among industry peers who have voiced their belief in respectful competition.

The Broader Response from Entertainment Insiders

The uproar surrounding HYBE’s leaked comments has also spread within the industry, as some employees at other top entertainment agencies reportedly share the sentiment expressed by the SM employee. The reactions on TheQoo reveal insights from other insiders who have noted widespread anger among employees at major companies over HYBE’s statements.

An industry professional familiar with entertainment circles commented anonymously on the reactions:

“Since I work in a similar field, I have friends in the entertainment industry, and all my friends working at the Big 3 companies are absolutely furious.”

For now, HYBE has not released any official statements in response to the reactions from SM Entertainment employees or the wider netizen backlash. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether HYBE will address the critiques directly or choose to move forward without further comment.

For more updates on the ongoing entertainment industry developments, tune in to Vviptimes.

(source: theqoo)