HYBE faces new controversy after a leaked internal document surfaced during the National Assembly’s October 24, 2024, audit. This report, originally meant for internal review, contains comments about SM Entertainment’s girl group, aespa, prompting fans to speculate about HYBE’s role in the backlash the group faced.
The Document that Sparked Speculation
During the audit, an Assembly member presented a document titled “Music Industry Report,” reportedly from HYBE’s internal communication. Although it referred to the group indirectly, fans quickly identified aespa as the focus due to specific contextual details. The document acknowledged the intense public reaction that followed aespa’s live performance at Coachella in April 2022, sparking a series of online criticisms and comments questioning their vocal abilities.
Document in email from internal staff. | Channel A News
“All this time, regarding [redacted]’s live singing skills, fans have been using this argument as a shield, claiming that they are good but the company does not let them do so, but it all crumbled at [redacted]. Now, their lip-syncing has become an issue again, and the fans are redirecting hate towards other directions rather than at the group itself.”
The document’s wording has raised eyebrows, as it suggests a perception that SM fandoms quickly redirect blame toward their own company when groups face criticism. Fans have interpreted this as HYBE’s awareness of, or possible involvement in, creating negative sentiment around aespa’s performances.
Theories on HYBE’s Influence in the Hate Directed at aespa
The leak has led to speculation that HYBE may have intentionally influenced or capitalized on fan criticism directed at aespa, particularly surrounding the group’s live performances. While the document itself doesn’t confirm any direct involvement in aespa’s hate wave, fans are questioning why HYBE’s internal documents would include detailed commentary on a competitor’s group.
Hybe seeing how aespa escape from the hate train that they created and now is one of the most famous groups with four consecutive eras being sucessfulpic.twitter.com/VqMGOUdsZb
— Geræld⁴ 🚧 | 𝕯𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖐 on June 27th (@MY_thirstysoty_) October 24, 2024
So hybe behind Coachella/Girls hate train for aespa… I wonder what they felt after aespa released Spicy and reverse the public opinion in their favor again…pic.twitter.com/OSn6rVkxYahttps://t.co/xkxw03y0Ye
— Geræld⁴ 🚧 | 𝕯𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖐 on June 27th (@MY_thirstysoty_) October 24, 2024
not hybe running the huge aespa coachella negative mediaplay just for their own gg to do the worst out of all years later 😭 https://t.co/PToKU0rAum
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