SEVENTEEN - SEUNGKWAN
SEVENTEEN member SEUNGKWAN posted an Instagram post on Tuesday that appears to be critical of HYBE, which recently faced criticism for its internal report containing malicious comments about K-pop idols.
This is the first time that an artist from a HYBE affiliate has publicly addressed the controversy. SEVENTEEN is part of Pledis Entertainment, a subsidiary of HYBE.
The singer’s message comes five days after the conglomerate came under fire when Rep. Min Hyung Bae of the Democratic Party revealed an internal HYBE document that included derogatory comments about K-pop idols during a National Assembly audit on October 24. The report in question, titled “Weekly Music Industry Report,” was initially distributed to CEOs of HYBE subsidiaries and its executives. It included derogatory remarks from HYBE employees about idols from various agencies, including SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment, such as “They (the idols) are terribly ugly” and “None of the members have the looks of idols since they debuted at such a young age.”
SEUNGKWAN began his post by saying, “I don’t want to see people hurt each other anymore.”
The singer said his decision to speak out came from the fact that he “couldn’t stay silent” on behalf of “his fans, members, and all the other idols who are working hard even now.”
“At least the ones I know in K-pop and my friends, including the other members, love this job purely,” he added.
The boy group member acknowledged that as a celebrity, he has to endure certain challenges, but said, “I don’t think it’s a career that I have to endure when I keep getting hurt and hurting until the end.”
The singer also stressed that idols shouldn’t be treated like puppets. “You have no right to talk bad about our stories,” he wrote.
“Not only us, but other artists are not your objects. Don’t think that you can use us as you please.”
Although SEUNGKWAN did not name any specific parties, his comments were perceived as being directed at HYBE.
He pleaded for an end to the harm to his fellow singers, staff, and fans, calling it his “fervent wish.”
HYBE released a statement on October 25 clarifying that the report was a collection of “comments from fans and various companies” collected from social media and fan communities to provide information on current industry trends, and that it “does not reflect the opinions of HYBE itself.”
HYBE CEO Lee Jae Sang also issued a formal apology on Tuesday. “I take full responsibility for these serious mistakes,” he said.
“The inclusion of provocative and crude language to describe K-pop artists, the addition of personal opinions and assessments, and the fact that these remarks were documented in writing are all unacceptable.”
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS SEUNGKWAN
