A growing number of Korean netizens are expressing serious unease over the unfolding situation at HYBE, citing a pattern of media manipulation, double standards, and power abuse — all of which have come to light amid the legal conflict involving Min Heejin, NewJeans, and HYBE’s upper leadership.
At the heart of the issue lies the overwhelming imbalance in media coverage : while Min Heejin faced an intense barrage of press after being accused of breach of trust (with over 1,700 articles ), far less attention has been given to more severe accusations of massive corporate embezzlement involving close associates of HYBE’s founder Bang Si-hyuk, which reportedly involves 1.2 trillion KRW . By comparison, only around 120 articles addressed HYBE’s internal issues.
“If this had happened in the U.S., it would’ve led to a life sentence,” one netizen pointed out.
The Unfolding Sequence: Manufactured Crisis?
According to users dissecting the timeline, HYBE’s actions followed a clearly strategic pattern :
- Pre-comeback breach of trust accusation and CEO dismissal
- Media flooding targeting Min Heejin and NewJeans
- A press conference in response, which further intensified scrutiny
- Talks of contract termination from the group
- Evidence emerging of planned replacement and internal sabotage
As one post noted: “Step 1 caused Step 2 and 3. If they hadn’t pushed media play so hard, none of this would have happened.”
Silence from the Top, Pressure at the Bottom
What’s particularly troubling to many is the disparity in accountability . While Min Heejin and NewJeans were aggressively scrutinized, Bang Si-hyuk remained silent throughout, with no YouTube shorts, tabloid buzz, or real-time coverage on his alleged involvement. The contrast between the intense media barrage on women and the quiet shielding of male executives hasn’t gone unnoticed. “Search ‘Min Heejin’ and it’s all AI tabloid videos. Search ‘Bang Si-hyuk’? Almost nothing.”
The deeper narrative isn’t just about idol group conflict — it’s about how corporate power is weaponized . Min Heejin, described by netizens as someone who “doesn’t tolerate nonsense,” reportedly sold her house , continued fighting legally, and refused to be silenced. Meanwhile, NewJeans, once silent, spoke out — and found themselves the target of mockery, smear campaigns, and malicious commentary .
The ultimate irony? While HYBE accused Min Heejin of betrayal, documents surfaced showing plans to abandon NewJeans, delete evidence, and frame members internally.
Netizens’ Reactions
A wave of comments has emerged celebrating what users call the end of the “HYBE occupation era” on the site, while condemning alleged media control, chart manipulation, and victim-playing by HYBE idols. Below is a translated snapshot of the discourse:
- Ha, finally Theqoo is returning to normal.
- Is Theqoo’s “HYBE occupation era” finally ending…? Please, I want to shout: “Long live Theqoo’s independence! Long live Theqoo’s independence! Long live Theqoo’s independence!” HYBE idols, the beneficiaries of chart manipulation, influencer marketing, 18,000 documents, reverse viral tactics, and media manipulation—stop playing the victim. And stop blaming everything on Min Hee Jin and NewJeans.
- People suddenly started bashing and mocking NewJeans like crazy, so I just stayed quiet, wondering what was going on.
- K-pop demon HYBE.
- K-pop would be cleaner if HYBE just disappeared.
As the dust settles, netizens are left asking: Who truly holds the power, and at what cost?
theqoo
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