HYBE’s Music Festival Draws Mixed Reactions, Including Calls for Refunds

Courtesy of 2024 WEVERSE CON FESTIVAL

The annual Weverse Con music festival, organized by HYBE, has encountered backlash from attendees following its decision to broaden the artist lineup beyond the label's roster. The festival, held over the weekend at Incheon's Inspire Entertainment Resort, featured performances from a range of non-HYBE artists across different generations, including indie band 10CM, girl group Billlie, and Japanese pop duo Yoasobi.

The inaugural Weverse Con in 2022 primarily showcased HYBE boy bands Enhypen and Seventeen, while the 2023 edition included HYBE’s girl groups Le Sserafim and NewJeans. This year's festival, however, aimed to diversify its lineup by inviting artists from outside the HYBE label. Despite the intention to expand its musical diversity, the decision has prompted some audience members to demand refunds.
 

▲ Singer Park Jin-young performing with Bang Si-hyuk / Courtesy of 2024 WEVERSE CON FESTIVAL

A significant point of contention was the surprise appearance of HYBE's founder, Bang Si-hyuk, during a performance by JYP Entertainment's co-founder, Park Jin-young. Park invited Bang onstage to play the guitar for songs including “I Have a Girlfriend” (2001) and g.o.d.’s “Lies” (2000). Bang, who previously worked as an in-house producer at JYP Entertainment before founding Big Hit Entertainment (HYBE's predecessor) in 2005, joined Park as part of a tribute to Park's 30-year career.

The appearance of Bang, which was not announced in advance, received a mixed response from the audience, with both cheers and boos reported. Online reactions included critical comments such as “Supply without demand,” and “Does he [Bang] have no shame?” indicating displeasure with the unplanned performance. The controversy surrounding Bang’s appearance is further complicated by ongoing tensions between HYBE and Min Hee-jin, the CEO of HYBE's subsidiary ADOR. NewJeans, a prominent group under ADOR, was notably absent from this year’s Weverse Con lineup. 

▲ Park Jin-young and ILLIT perform ″When We Disco″ (2020) at Weverse Con at Inspire Arena in Incheon on June 15 / Courtesy of 2024 WEVERSE CON FESTIVALOther issues also affected the festival, including the cancellation of singer Kwon Eun-bi's performance due to health reasons and the participation of ILLIT member Wonhee, who performed while seated due to an ankle injury.

In addition to the challenges faced at Weverse Con, HYBE’s earlier event, the 2024 BTS Festa, drew criticism for alleged incidents of sexual harassment and poor management. Reports emerged of fans attempting to kiss BTS member Jin, and complaints were made about the event being understaffed.

Sayart 

Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com