Hybe CEO Lee Jae-sang issued a formal apology on Tuesday following the recent disclosure of an internal company document containing derogatory remarks about K-pop artists. The document, which was intended for Hybe executives as part of a weekly industry trends review, surfaced during a National Assembly audit last Thursday, sparking widespread backlash.
“I bow my head in apology to the artists, industry colleagues, and fans affected by the language used in our monitoring document, which was highlighted during the audit of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee at the National Assembly on October 24,” Lee said in a press statement.
According to Lee, the document was initially created to share various opinions and reactions regarding the industry among select leadership members. He acknowledged that the content was deeply inappropriate and admitted a lack of sensitivity in how personal views were documented and shared
The document, which was revealed by Representative Min Hyung-bae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, included disparaging and judgmental remarks about artists outside Hybe, which added to the growing controversy.
“We sincerely apologize to the innocent artists and industry members who have suffered due to unfounded suspicions, including allegations of reverse viral marketing. This incident has caused unnecessary harm and distress,” Lee added.
Lee emphasized that Hybe is actively reaching out to directly apologize to the artists and companies mentioned. “We are also conveying our official apology to all artists under Hybe who have faced unfair criticism due to this issue,” he stated.
In response to the incident, Hybe has stopped creating such monitoring documents and pledged to strengthen internal controls to prevent similar issues in the future. Lee acknowledged, “There was a lack of awareness among our leadership about the potential consequences of such practices.”
The employee responsible for drafting the document was reassigned to a human resources position, and was previously the editor-in-chief of Weverse Magazine, Hybe’s editorial platform. This move, however, has drawn criticism from some industry insiders who see it as a mere “scapegoating” measure, questioning whether higher executives should also be held accountable.
Sayart / Sharon Jung, guhuijeong784@gmail.com
