Video Captures Bang Si Hyuk in Beverly Hills with Influencers
A video has recently surfaced showing HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk in Beverly Hills, California, accompanied by two influencers, one of whom is the popular AfreecaTV streamer Juice Seyeon. In the video, Bang Si Hyuk can be seen taking photos of the streamer, which quickly garnered attention online.
Following the circulation of the video, BIGHIT MUSIC swiftly addressed the situation, taking down accounts that shared the video. The company also provided an official response, explaining that Bang Si Hyuk “ran into” the influencers and offered them advice on touring Los Angeles.
“While meeting with acquaintances, [Bang Si Hyuk] ran into the older of the two influencers and gave her advice on handling entertainment imposters. Afterward, [the two influencers] came to Los Angeles together and asked about tourist attractions and restaurants. So, he guided them and helped them with making reservations.”
— BIGHIT MUSIC
Previous Controversy: Ignoring NewJeans Members
This response has been met with ridicule, as it contradicts a previous excuse provided by Bang Si Hyuk in May 2024. During that time, he was accused of ignoring NewJeans members when they greeted him at the HYBE building.
NewJeans members | @NewJeans_ADOR/X
“Whenever NewJeans members ran into Bang Si Hyuk in the company building, Bang Si Hyuk would pretend not to recognize them and turn a blind eye to their greetings. At first, we didn’t believe our children, thinking, ‘Oh, he probably just didn’t recognize them back then.’ But this has happened several times since then, on different dates and in different locations. Even when it was just Bang Si Hyuk and the members, too. So we believe there is no other explanation to his behavior except that he does it on purpose, recognizing they are, in fact, NewJeans.”
— NewJeans Members’ Parents
In response to these accusations, Bang Si Hyuk claimed that he has difficulty recognizing faces, with HYBE’s CEO Park Ji Won suggesting that Bang might have prosopagnosia—a condition that makes it difficult for individuals to remember and recognize faces.
Online Backlash and Mockery
The latest explanation provided by BIGHIT MUSIC has led to significant backlash online. Many people have mocked the idea that Bang Si Hyuk could have suddenly “recovered” from prosopagnosia, given his ability to recognize and interact with the streamers.
| theqoo
“Perhaps he sees [the streamers] more often than he sees the idols in his building. So often that he has no trouble recognizing them.”
“Congratulations! I hope he can now accept the greetings from the idols under his labels.”
“Wow, prosopagnosia cured! Congratulations!”
“It could have been a selective condition… LOL.”
— Online Users
Users also questioned the legitimacy of the claim that Bang Si Hyuk simply “ran into” the streamers.
| theqoo
“He ignored NewJeans members because he couldn’t recognize their faces. But he ‘ran into’ the streamers and then proceeded to give them a tour and spend time with them? A case of selective prosopagnosia, if I’ve ever seen one. LMAO.”
“For real… His prosopagnosia must be selective because he recognized Sakura and those streamers with no problem.”
“Sure, he could have run into them. But the fact that he must have recognized them…? He must have been a fan, LOL.”
“There is no such thing as ‘running into’ people like that.”
— Online Users
Understanding Prosopagnosia: An Incurable Condition
Despite the online ridicule, it is important to note that prosopagnosia remains an incurable condition. Treatment focuses on developing workarounds and coping skills that help individuals recognize others without relying on facial features.
“Treatment focuses on ‘workarounds’ and other coping skills that can assist prosopagnosics in identifying other people without reliance on facial cues. This might include noting a person’s height, build, clothing, accessories, vocal mannerisms, and gait as sources of recognition.”
— Baptist Health
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