HYBE’s ‘idol report’ controversy deepens with chairman Bang Si Hyuk’s involvement.

The recent unveiling of HYBE’s so-called “Idol Report,” containing unfiltered comments on K-pop idols’ appearances, has stirred up significant controversy following its disclosure at a National Assembly audit session. It was revealed on October 30 KST that HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk had directed the document’s distribution to top executives, raising further accountability questions as Kang Myung Seok, former head of Weverse Magazine and the document’s author, was removed from his position the previous day.

Email records obtained by The Hankyoreh showed that in January 2022, Bang directed that the “Weekly Music Industry Report III” be shared with rapper ZICO, CEO of KOZ Entertainment, a label acquired by HYBE in 2020. The report, distributed weekly, was previously sent only to senior executives, indicating ZICO may have initially been excluded to avoid discomfort.

Further email exchanges from June 2023 revealed Bang managing recipients for the report, with requests to add specific company executives. This direct involvement in document distribution suggests a degree of oversight, making accountability likely to be a point of public discussion. HYBE has already removed Kang from his position, and CEO Lee Jae Sang issued an apology, acknowledging the inappropriate language used and the report’s problematic content.

HYBE has refrained from further comments beyond Lee’s statement, despite growing scrutiny over the document’s contents, which included negative remarks on idols’ appearances and inappropriate comments on underage idols.

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