The leadership of Big Hit Music, home to global artists BTS and TXT, has shifted from Shin Young Jae to Shin Seon Jung.
On November 26, Big Hit Music announced, “We have appointed GM Shin Seon Jung as the new CEO.”
Shin Seon Jung, born in 1984, joined BigHit Entertainment, the predecessor of HYBE, in 2010 and played a significant role in the rise and early development of global sensation BTS.
Her contributions earned her recognition in Billboard’s 40 Under 40 list in 2022, which highlights young leaders shaping the global music industry, and Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music in the "Multi-Sector" category, which celebrates influential women in the music industry.
With Shin’s appointment, Big Hit Music aims to enhance sustainable growth and strengthen its competitiveness in the global music market. Leveraging her extensive industry experience and expertise, Shin is expected to stabilize and elevate the label’s operational framework while spearheading new business expansions.
Outgoing CEO Shin Young Jae, who led BigHit Music for the past four years, will now focus on his new role as the inaugural CEO of HYBE Music Group APAC, overseeing domestic and Japanese multi-label operations within HYBE’s music business sector.
HYBE explained, “HYBE Music Group APAC was established in August as part of HYBE’s new growth strategy, ‘HYBE 2.0.’ The organization is dedicated to strengthening strategies and processes needed for label growth and innovation, investing in resources, and enhancing music service functions.”
Fans are accusing the newly appointed CEO of being a Jimin akgae or a fan who likes only one member of the group. Korean netizens and fans responded in a popular online community:
"Isn't she a Jimin akgae? Putting someone like that in charge just means they'll push only one person even harder."
"HYBE = BTS Gallery = Jimin solo stans = Everything should just fall apart. No matter how much viral marketing or counter-marketing the employees try, or how many comments they post, it’s useless. We’re not fooled anymore."
"The BTS members have even more reason to leave now. Fans know that as long as that woman is there, this situation is already doomed, and it’s only going to get worse."
"What does it matter if it's a man or a woman? They’re all on Bang Si Hyuk's side anyway."
"Using long-time employees as shields—interesting strategy."
"Everyone except Park Jimin, let’s leave HYBE. The company has clearly decided to work tirelessly for just one member. They’ve been colluding with BTS Gallery to fabricate rumors and torment the other members, all for the sake of one person. You’ve suffered enough holding back. Now leave HYBE and sue BTS Gallery."
"A person who used to call Jimin an 'angel' is now the CEO? It’s laughable. Birds of a feather, I guess."
"HYBE, stop trying to cover this up. Get rid of BTS Gallery. How can the company and BTS Gallery be so intertwined?"
"I became a fan after HYBE was established, so I don’t know much about this woman. But seeing how BTS Gallery likes her makes me suspicious. I hope my bias leaves HYBE for good."
"They always handle things the same way by putting women executives out front. It's so predictable, lol."
"They decided to put a female as CEO since people were saying the company is only filled with male executives who are old geezers. lol."
"We get HYBE has no eye for people."
"I'm sure this is all for show."
"Bang Si Hyuk once said he wouldn't appoint people from the entertainment world as executives, yet now we get a female CEO in this situation..."
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