HYBE, a leading force in K-pop, is now caught in chaos following a controversy over a conflict with ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and rumors of involvement with a cult. The incident has drawn significant attention to the connection between entertainment agencies and cults.
Stories related to HYBE are now ubiquitous in online communities and social media. The controversy over the cult has even brought up mentions of BTS, leading to a truth battle among netizens.
Some netizens suspect HYBE is involved with a religious group called Dahn World. The suspicion began when ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin held a press conference on the 25th, claiming a HYBE executive threatened her during the production of NewJeans’ hit song “OMG.” The song’s music video has sparked various interpretations among viewers.
Some netizens claim that the “OMG” music video criticizes Dahn World, noting frequent appearances of bears (teddy bears), symbols associated with Dahn World, and scenes set at Sindorim Station, where Dahn World is located. They suggest this might indicate that NewJeans is trying to break away from the group. The comments on the official “OMG” music video are filled with related discussions.
Furthermore, some netizens pointed out that NewJeans uses a separate application called Phoning instead of the Weverse platform, which HYBE artists typically use for fan interaction. They also claim that the name Weverse is connected to Dahn World.
Moreover, claims have been popping up that BTS, HYBE’s flagship artist, is associated with Dahn World.
Netizens cite that all BTS members except Jin graduated from the Global Cyber University, operated under Dahn World. The university’s founder is Lee Seung Heon, the creator of Dahn World, who raised suspicions among netizens. Some emphasize that the lyrics in BTS’s songs are linked to Dahn World.
However, many celebrities, not just the majority of BTS members, have graduated from this university’s Broadcasting Entertainment department, leading to ongoing controversy.
A meditation video related to Dahn World was also spotted on the screen during the practice session of HYBE’s artist content. This has deepened netizens’ suspicions that Dahn World has infiltrated HYBE, further escalating the controversy.
As the controversy intensified, on the 1st and 2nd, Dahn World and HYBE each released statements denying any association. Dahn World warned of legal actions against those spreading reckless fake news, and HYBE pleaded to stop the witch hunt.
Earlier, on the 28th, Big Hit Music, a label under HYBE, issued a statement warning of legal action against rumors surrounding BTS.
Big Hit Music said, “We continue to confirm organized movements to defame and slander the honor that BTS has built,” and “We will continue to take serious action on this matter by appointing additional law firms.”
Meanwhile, Park Jin Young of JYP, one of the Big 3 entertainment agencies, has also faced allegations of being a key figure leading the evangelistic meetings of the cult Salvation Sect. According to an investigation by a media outlet, Park Jin Young participated in the cult in 2018.
Park Jin Young responded, “It’s not true at all,” and clarified, “I don’t belong to any group or sect now.” He explained, “It was just a Bible study meeting that I paid for and rented a place to teach. A few people who believe in the Salvation Sect participated in my lecture at a place where nearly 100 people gathered to listen to the lecture,” thus concluding the situation.
Furthermore, SM and YG Entertainment, the other two big three entertainment agencies, have been embroiled in various controversies, although they are not involved with cults.
Firstly, SM Entertainment is known to have instructed its artists to include sentences related to tree planting in their songs when former CEO Lee Soo Man was in charge. At the time, SM’s representative, Lee Sung Su, claimed that Lee Soo Man’s intention to include sentences related to tree planting was related to his desire for real estate business rights.
Lee Sung Su also criticized Lee Soo Man by saying, “Lee Soo Man mentioned legalizing marijuana and enjoying casinos and festivals to create ‘Lee Soo Man World.'”
Meanwhile, Yang Hyun Suk, the founder of YG Entertainment, received a suspended sentence from the court on charges of trying to cover up a drug investigation of a singer under his company. Furthermore, with its artists involved in drugs and sex crimes, YG Entertainment had the worst image among the entertainment companies.
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