A recent Blue House petition calling for the revocation of HYBE Corporation‘s “leading company” status has gained momentum, reaching 50,000 signatures. This threshold allows the petition to move forward for review by the National Assembly, marking a critical step in public scrutiny of the entertainment giant’s practices.
Petition Background and Public Response
The petition was launched after internal documents from HYBE were leaked, allegedly showing that some employees had monitored and criticized artists from other companies. This revelation sparked significant public backlash, which led to the petition quickly amassing a large number of supporters.
As of November 9 (KST), the petition reached 50,000 signatures, meeting the minimum required for the matter to advance to the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee. If the committee accepts it, they may conduct further evaluations of HYBE’s eligibility for the “leading company” status, which was awarded by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
HYBE’s “Leading Company” Status and the Call for Revocation
Each year, the Ministry of Employment and Labor designates 100 companies as “leading companies” across various labor industries in South Korea. This honor recognizes companies for their industry contributions and workplace standards. In 2024, both HYBE and Weverse Company were included on this list.
However, following allegations that NewJeans faced harassment within the label, representative Park Hong Bae urged the Ministry to reconsider HYBE’s title during a National Assembly audit in October. Public support for the petition suggests a rising demand for accountability within the industry.
The petitioners also pointed to a precedent: in April 2022, a different company was removed from the “leading company” list. This case is being used as an argument for HYBE to undergo similar scrutiny.
Public Reaction
Netizens have expressed wide support for the petition, sharing their thoughts online as news of the signature milestone spread. Comments from popular South Korean online forums included:
- “Let’s go.”
- “👍👍👍”
- “It’s hilarious that it is still considered a top-tier company.”
- “HYBE Entertainment should undergo some investigation.”
- “Let’s do a tax audit!”
The public’s reaction reflects a growing desire for transparency and accountability in the entertainment sector, with many supporting more extensive oversight of companies like HYBE.
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