What did Zico and BTS do wrong? Suspicions surrounding agency are separate from artists’ activities
The sparks of suspicion surrounding various allegations such as cult activities and chart manipulation are not only aimed at HYBE but are also splattering onto the artists
Accordingly, there’s a growing opinion that allegations against the agency and the artists’ activities should be seen separately.
Under HYBE’s subsidiary KOZ Entertainment, singer-producer Zico released the collaborative track “SPOT!” with BLACKPINK’s Jennie on April 26th. Zico, who initiated the “Any Song” challenge, once again attracted attention with his new song’s challenge. Alongside BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Zico did the challenge with other artists such as Jeon So-mi, Kiss of Life, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and Seventeen’s Woozi.
The problem was the challenge with artists under HYBE. While artists under various labels like Source Music and Pledis Entertainment, including ILLIT, participated in the challenge, it was pointed out that girl group NewJeans under ADOR, another center of conflict, has yet to film the challenge.
Among the comments on the challenge videos, there are comments with a critical tone such as “I wonder if you are clueless or if you are doing this on purpose“, “Escape from HYBE” and “You’ve never filmed with NewJeans.“
However, some netizens viewed the situation differently, stating, “The fault lies with HYBE. What did the affiliated artists do wrong?” and “Even if it was HYBE’s request, how is it Zico’s fault?“
There was also noise surrounding BTS’s RM’s solo comeback news. He is scheduled to make a solo comeback on May 24th with his second solo album “Right Place, Wrong Person”. The public’s reaction to RM’s solo comeback is not overly positive due to its coincidence with the release date of NewJeans’ double single. It is pointed out that releasing on the same day as NewJeans, amidst the current negative sentiment towards HYBE, may fuel competition whether intended or not.
Furthermore, BTS faced difficulties as allegations of chart manipulation resurfaced after seven years due to a court document related to album expedient marketing in 2017. Additionally, there are concerns about some lyrics of BTS’s songs allegedly being influenced by the doctrines of the controversial religious group “Dahnworld”. With the announcement of RM’s comeback news, some netizens started demanding explanations.
Accordingly, to protect the artists, the fandom “ARMY” took collective action. On May 3rd, ARMY placed a full-page advertisement in some newspapers, condemning HYBE for allowing BTS, which has nothing to do with the current situation, to suffer significant damage from false news and rumors. They demanded HYBE and Big Hit Music to take responsible actions for the defamation against BTS and to clearly announce the legal action status, strongly criticizing that agencies that do not protect their artists have no reason to exist and that failure to fulfill the obligations of the agency may lead to contract termination.
Artists are often caught up in various suspicions and conflicts related to their agencies, despite being unintended. However, artists are just artists, neither social activists nor law-breakers. They are simply individuals who have been preparing for their music activities. Their comeback schedules are the responsibility of the agency, not the artists. It is a time when we need to separate suspicions about the agency’s actions and support the artists’ music activities independently.
Source: daum
