Former YG staff member Huh Hyun, who was previously convicted in the infamous Burning Sun scandal, is once again making headlines — this time for his surprising return to the entertainment industry.
On September 24, entertainment company MuseM announced the appointment of Huh Hyun as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO), overseeing global business and heading the company’s China branch. Huh Hyun had previously studied at Fudan University in China before joining YG Entertainment, where he managed Big Bang’s activities in the Chinese market.
Huh Hyun’s appointment has sparked outrage because of his role in the Burning Sun group chat scandal, which involved celebrities like Jung Joon Young and Choi Jong Hoon.
In March 2016, Huh Hyun joined Jung Joon Young, Choi Jong Hoon, and others in Daegu, where they met women at a club and later committed sexual assault in a hotel room. Heo Hyun was indicted on charges of forcible molestation and later sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, along with:
- 80 hours of sexual violence treatment program
- 160 hours of community service
Although Huh Hyun appealed, higher courts upheld the original ruling, stressing that he never received forgiveness from the victim.
Industry experts warn that placing a convicted sexual offender in such a high-ranking position is a disastrous decision, particularly because Muse M works with top artists including Cha Eun Woo (ASTRO), Jisoo (BLACKPINK), and G-Dragon. These artists, whose intellectual property Muse M manages, may now be reconsidering their professional ties to the company.
Currently, it is unclear whether Cha Eun Woo, Jisoo, or G-Dragon will continue working with Muse M. Experts predict that many K-pop artists and entertainment companies may terminate contracts with the company to avoid association with the Burning Sun scandal.
MuseM defended its decision, stating that Huh Hyun’s criminal history and his role in the company’s overseas business were “separate matters.” In a statement, Huh Hyun himself said he was committed to helping MuseM grow into a “unicorn company” in the K-content field.
However, industry insiders and netizens are voicing strong opposition. One entertainment insider remarked: “MuseM focuses on artist IP businesses. What agency would entrust their intellectual property to someone associated with the Burning Sun scandal?”
The backlash highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding the Burning Sun scandal, which remains one of the most notorious events in recent K-pop history. Many argue that appointing someone with such a criminal record to a leadership role risks serious damage to the company’s reputation.
Sources: Dispatch,Nate
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