HYBE Sucks, Here’s Why…

With K-pop reaching new heights and achievements, many are worried for the idols, specifically the treatment they receive from their companies. While it is common for celebrities within western labels to speak out on mistreatment, K-pop is a different story. Typically, Korean labels will quiet any scandals or suspiciously try to cover mistreatment, so it is often up to the fans to call out for protections for their favorite groups. One of the companies that is facing mass scrutiny is HYBE, originally called Big Hit Entertainment, created by Bang-Si-hyuk in 2005. Over the past few years, HYBE has gotten backlash over how they handle hate, management, and lawsuits. 

Online hate towards idols and their groups has increased as K-pop breaks into the western market, with many leading to mental and physical issues. The most prominent is KATSEYE’s Manon Bannerman, who is currently on an ongoing hiatus for her mental health. Even prior to the group’s formation in 2024 during their time in Dream Academy, a survival show that led to the final members, Manon faced criticism for her “lazy dancing” as well as her having supposed pretty privileges. The hate has gone on for more than two  years, which ultimately led to the hiatus and it is unknown whether or not Manon will return to KATSEYE. Similarly, ILLIT, 5th generation girl group, debuted in 2024 with their debut single, “Magnetic” and many flocked to give positive reviews and reactions while others criticized them for allegedly copying other groups, such as NEW JEANS. This massive hate train towards ILLIT unfortunately led to both physical and mental health problems for the members. 

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only controversy NEW JEANS and ILLIT found themselves tangled in. HYBE has a horrible track record with balancing multiple groups, then and now with the neglect of their Japanese groups &TEAM and AOEN, but due to this unbalance it has led for many HYBE groups to be broken down to allow new talent to be brought in. This occurred when GFRIEND disbanded seemingly out of nowhere, with another group LE SSERAFIM to take its place in the spotlight. Many speculate this is why groups NEW JEANS, KATSEYE, and ENHYPEN seem to be going through difficult line up changes with NEW JEANS’ member Danielle and Minji missing from their upcoming comeback amid lawsuits, Manon’s long-term and suspicious hiatus from KATSEYE’s “Pinky Up”, and Heeseung’s rebranding to EVAN after his ENHYPEN departure at the peak of the group’s career. ILLIT may be branded to replace NEW JEANS, while HYBExGEFFEN are pushing out a new Pre:Lude group to follow up KATSEYE.

During all of this, HYBE has not made a comment nor taken any action whatsoever to deescalate and put a stop on the hate. With fans from across all their groups calling them out and protesting, HYBE continues to stay silent and receive the revenue their idols are literally carrying on their backs. Though this is not an issue fandoms can resolve on their own, it is important for fans to recognize the dangers of the entertainment industry and call out on mistreatment of labels towards their artists.