“STOP SABOTAGING JUNGKOOK” — Fans Demand Respect for BTS Idol After Alleged Disrespect by HYBE Employees Following His NewJeans Support

On September 15, 2024, social media was set ablaze with controversy as screenshots emerged allegedly showing HYBE employees disparaging and disrespecting BTS’ Jungkook for his support of NewJeans. These discussions reportedly took place on an anonymous company app called Blind.

The uproar was triggered when Jungkook shared a photograph of his dog Bam on Bam’s official Instagram account, with the caption, “Artists are not guilty,”accompanied by five heart emojis. He also uploaded another image of Bam, captioning it, “Don’t use them.”

Fans of NewJeans interpreted these posts as a demonstration of support for the girl group amid their ongoing conflict with HYBE, noting that the colors of the heart emojis corresponded with those of the NewJeans members, while the bicep emoji signified a gesture of strength.

In the meantime, fans expressed outrage upon witnessing HYBE employees apparently defaming the BTS idol, accusing him of mistreating the company staff. Allegations included claims that he is the “most stubborn”individual in the organization and could potentially damage HYBE’s reputation. Fans fiercely criticized the company for employing individuals displaying such unprofessional conduct. One fan on X tweeted:

“HYBE INVESTIGATE INTERNAL STAFF STOP SABOTAGING JUNGKOOK”

Both BTS ARMY and NewJeans fans united in their disappointment towards HYBE staff accused of “spreading rumors”against the BTS idol for supporting NewJeans.

“HYBE employees dragging Jungkook after his public support for NewJeans, swearing at him & spreading rumors that he harasses them…This is the toxic work environment that NewJeans are surrounded by and falsely claims to the media that they would “protect them,” one fan wrote.

“Hybe employees are making fun of jungkook, calling him an ‘idiot’ after he showed support to newjeans… they’re all nasty,”an X user said.

“Need all of them fired NEOW @BIGHIT_MUSIC @HYBEOFFICIALtwt… Find them and fire them, WATCH HOW YOU SPEAK ABOUT HIM,”another fan said.

Others highlighted that if the company could treat its biggest artist in such a derogatory manner, then other artists might also be at risk.

“I think this should open all of our eyes. even the seniors are receiving such treatment. None of these artists are being treated with the respect they deserve and it’s time you all join this HYBE boycott if you haven’t already,”one fan retorted.

“HYBE literally has the most unprofessional staff cause wtf is this? why tf did you have to call him names just because you did not agree with his opinion??”another fan stated.

“Hopefully this shows everyone that HYBE is the common enemy and everyone should focus their energy on criticizing the company instead of the groups,”one fan commented.

BIGHIT MUSIC Issues Statement Regarding BTS’ Jungkook’s Support for NewJeans

In light of Jungkook’s Instagram posts, HYBE’s subsidiary BIGHIT MUSIC addressed the situation. They clarified that the BTS idol’s posts were intended to protect all rookie artists, not exclusively NewJeans. According to Edaily, BIGHIT MUSIC stated:

“We have confirmed that he posted it because he believed that under no circumstances should a young artist be involved in a dispute and used as a shield.”

For context, the conflict between HYBE and NewJeans revolves around Min Hee-jin’s reappointment as CEO of ADOR. During a live YouTube session earlier this week (September 11), NewJeans members voiced their grievances regarding the negative impact of Min Hee-jin’s absence on their work environment and creative processes.

The livestream detailed troubling accounts about the new ADOR administration under CEO Kim Joo-young. Notably, NewJeans’ Hanni reported that a HYBE manager had allegedly told members of another group to ignore her. Additionally, NewJeans directly called on HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin as CEO of ADOR by September 25, 2024.

HYBE’s new CEO, Lee Jae-sang, emphasized that the company is addressing the matter in accordance with established procedures and announced an independent investigation into allegations of workplace harassment made by NewJeans members.

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