🔗 2024-10-29 HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang Apology Letter

[HYBE] We apologize regarding the monitoring document.

As the CEO of HYBE, I offer my apologies regarding the HYBE monitoring document.

I bow my head in apology to the artists, industry officials, and fans regarding our company’s monitoring document that was pointed out during the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on October 24.

This document was drafted in the process of retrospectively gathering various reactions and public opinion on industry trends and issues. Although it was shared only with a limited number of leadership for the purpose of understanding market and artist fan sentiment, the content of the document was highly inappropriate. Representing the company, I acknowledge all faults and feel a deep sense of responsibility for the fact that provocative and crude expressions directed at K-pop artists were included as they were, that the writer’s personal views and evaluations were added, and that these contents were left in a written record. In particular, I feel very apologetic and devastated about the situation where innocent artists and employees are suffering from misunderstandings and harm due to the added suspicions of “reverse viral marketing,” which are completely untrue.

I formally and politely apologize to the external artists who have suffered harm and hurt by being mentioned in the document. We are contacting each agency separately to apologize directly. We are also conveying our official apologies with all sincerity to all artists of the HYBE Music Group who are facing the brunt of criticism due to the company.

I acknowledge that the leadership who received this document lacked awareness of the problem, and as CEO, I have immediately halted the drafting of such monitoring documents. I promise to establish guidelines and strengthen internal controls to ensure that such issues do not occur again.

Once again, I apologize to the artists, industry officials, fans, and everyone who loves and supports K-pop who were hurt by this incident. As the representative of the company, through bitter reflection and self-examination, I state that we will thoroughly improve past wrongdoings and do our utmost for the healthy development of the K-pop industry by prioritizing the rights and interests of all K-pop artists and respect for the fans.

Thank you. HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang

🔗 “Shame,” “Horror,” “Rage”… ‘HYBE Document’ Panic Spreads Like Wildfire [Deep Dive]