🔗 2024-09-25 HYBE Official Statement (Explanation regarding the report on Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show)

We would like to inform you.
We would like to explain the remarks made by Seoul Shinmun reporter Jang Hyung-woo on CBS Radio’s today.

Referring to NewJeans’ concert in Japan on July 17, the reporter wrote that due to the concert’s success, ‘1.02 million albums were sold locally alone.’ However, as of that time, about 50,000 copies were sold locally in Japan, and over 900,000 copies were sold domestically. As a corporate PR representative, we requested a correction because we could not leave incorrect information as is. If 1.02 million copies had been sold in Japan alone as mentioned in the article, it could be extrapolated that tens of millions were sold in the global market. We proceeded with the correction request because leaving incorrect information could cause significant confusion for the market and investors. As a corporate PR representative, there is absolutely no reason to speak negatively about NewJeans’ achievements.

In fact, HYBE PR dispatched personnel to the site to support media in closely covering NewJeans’ Tokyo Dome fan meeting, ensuring smooth media coverage and positive reporting. It was also HYBE PR that suggested to the label to support coverage not only of the concert but also of the pop-up store so that NewJeans’ popularity in Japan could be fully experienced. We explain that, as a result, many on-site review articles highlighting NewJeans’ popularity in Japan from various angles were able to be published.

Regarding the mention of ‘gaslighting,’ the reporter asked, “How is a takeover of management rights possible with less than a 20% stake?” and the expression came up during the answer that in the entertainment industry, if the producer and artist are strongly bound together, it can be attempted regardless of the shareholding ratio.

The golf schedule with the desk editor in charge at the media outlet in question was scheduled back in May, long before reporter Jang’s call recording, but as the situation changed later, it was cancelled under the judgment that it was inappropriate to proceed during a sensitive time.

Reporter Jang recorded the content of a work-related call with the PR representative and leaked it to the opposing party in the dispute, so we sent a certification of contents (formal notice) to the media outlet last July to protest. Despite this, he appeared on the broadcast and released the content of his call with the PR representative without the other party’s consent under the guise of a tip-off. This is undeniably a serious violation of professional ethics as a reporter who must uphold impartiality. We inform you that we will respond sternly to this matter.