🔗 2024-10-19 Team Bunnies Notice

Hello, this is Team Bunnies.

We have received news from an anonymous source that the adoption of Weverse CEO Choi Joon-won as a witness for the National Policy Committee’s audit, which was scheduled for the 21st, has been withdrawn. While the specific reason for the withdrawal is unknown, it appears to have occurred due to either the submission of a statement of non-attendance or the withdrawal of the request by the lawmaker who applied for the witness.

During the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee’s audit on the 7th, Weverse was questioned by several lawmakers regarding unfair refund procedures for defective products, frequent shipping and defect issues, random photocards, and “album pushing” (bulk buying) practices. At that time, Weverse caused controversy by displaying a very insincere attitude, giving irresponsible answers such as “I don’t know” or “I will look into it later.”

Furthermore, as recently reported, given that Weverse is attempting to enforce a new paid membership system, we believe a thorough audit by the National Policy Committee was necessary. It was shocking news to all fandoms using Weverse that HYBE, which has been operating a system that deceives fans and exploits consumers, announced a new paid membership scheme charging fees of up to 60%. Although the reason for the witness withdrawal is unclear, it is truly regrettable that the National Policy Committee audit, which could have been a meaningful occasion for consumers in the K-pop market, has fallen through.

It is truly disgusting to see them abuse the media and judicial authorities to exhaust various parties when it suits them, yet make all sorts of excuses to avoid summons from state institutions. It is difficult to understand from a common-sense perspective whether Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and HYBE executives have any sense of responsibility regarding all these controversies.

We hope that Kim Tae-ho, CEO of BELIFT LAB and HYBE’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), who is scheduled to appear as a witness at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee’s comprehensive audit on the 24th, will not avoid attendance in the same manner or persist with insincere answers even after attending. As he is attending on behalf of Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang, we ask that he respond to inquiries sincerely.

Finally, we have confirmed excessive malicious comments, posts, and articles with derogatory intent by some media outlets targeting NewJeans recently. We are also continuously monitoring malicious broadcasts committed by “cyber wreckers” (malicious YouTubers) alongside persistent malicious posts and comments, and we will deliver news regarding this in the near future.

We imagine many of you are exhausted from this long fight. In times like this, it might be good to look back once again on what we are fighting so hard for. We do not desire anything grandiose like money or fame. We have come this far for one simple reason: to protect the journey of the artist and fans being together and making happy memories. It has by no means been an easy process, but we believe we were able to come this far because our hearts caring for each other were harder and stronger than all the walls blocking us. We do not know what great difficulties await us or how much longer this will take, but Team Bunnies will also do our best so that we can keep moving forward without wavering.

Thank you.