In a major scandal, HYBE has come under fire after internal documents were revealed during an audit with the National Assembly on October 24, 2024. These documents allegedly outlined plans for negative media tactics targeting rival groups from other entertainment companies, including RIIZE from SM Entertainment. The revelations have led to widespread backlash and allegations of sabotage.

The Controversial Report

A document titled “Music Industry Report” was released during the audit.

The documents in question reportedly contained strategies to criticize RIIZE along with other groups like aespa and NMIXX. The most concerning claims involved plans to leak old, potentially damaging photos of RIIZE member Seunghan, as well as criticisms of another member’s dancing abilities.

Seunghan’s Departure and Public Reaction

Seunghan recently left RIIZE following personal controversies related to pre-debut photos. Fans now believe that the leaked documents may explain the increased scrutiny that Seunghan faced in the media. Speculation has grown that HYBE may have played a role in pushing certain negative narratives around him and other members of RIIZE.

Suspicions Confirmed by Redacted Names

A news article from Korean outlet Sports Kyunghyang on the audit reported that in the article, there seemed to be plans to generate negative news about SM Entertainment groups.

They mentioned SM Entertainment’s group [redacted], writing “You can counteract any attacks made on [HYBE group, redacted] by using [SM Entertainment group, redacted] as a shield. When someone says that any member is ugly, it can be countered with the member [name redacted] pre-debut photos, or saying that [name redacted] cannot dance and is stiff, while showing clips of them. This is a pattern that is already well-used on DC Inside.

— Sports Kyunghyang

Although the names of the targeted groups and members were redacted in the publicized documents, the specific mentions of incidents involving RIIZE led many to believe that the group was a primary target. Some fans have pointed out that the number of syllables in the redacted names matches those of RIIZE members, and in particular Seunghan, further adding to the suspicion.

Not only did Seunghan face issues with pre-debut photos, other member Sohee was also targeted by such matters when his past photos were released.

HYBE has since released and deleted a statement denying any intentional sabotage, but the damage to the company’s reputation has already been done.

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