K-pop label behind BTS apologise after 'leaked' internal document called young idols 'ugly' with 'no sex appeal'

By ALICE WADE 17:18 05 Nov 2024, updated 17:23 05 Nov 2024

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A major K-pop label, which is behind hit boyband BTS, has released an apology after an internal document 'leak' included scathing remarks of idols, many of whom are likely to be young teenagers in training.

Last month, a report understood to have been circulated among music execs at Hybe revealed several disparaging remarks about artists, describing them as 'ugly' and having 'no sex appeal'.

The Weekly Music Industry Report surfaced in October during a court hearing regarding the HYBE audit carried out by the South Korean National Assembly's Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee - with excerpts leaked online.

Said to contain 'public opinions on industry trends and issues', the doc, which some have said is as many as 18,000 pages long, contained numerous scathing comments about young aspiring stars.

But in a new statement, CEO of Hybe, Lee Jae-Sang, has apologised for the 'highly inappropriate' remarks, insisting it will not happen again and that the label is committed to 'healthy' industry progression.

The document first emerged mid October during a court hearing for an audit being carried out for the brand.

According to The Korea Herald, it was presented in court by the Democratic Party lawmaker Rep. Min Hyung-bae, who critcised the scathing commentary directed at young idols.

As reported by The Korea Times, Min Hyung-bae described the commentary as 'derogatory expressions,' which were 'directed at minors'.

Amongst the vast pages were comments such as: 'They debuted at an age when they're at their most unattractive,' and 'Surprisingly, none of them are pretty'.

Another allegedly described young stars as 'shockingly unattractive'.

While it's unclear who the damning comments were in reference to, reports suggest they were directed at performers who were minors.

It is common within the K-pop world for aspiring stars to start their journey to stardom at incredibly young ages. Often, hopeful performers are subjected to grueling training regimes and criticism regarding their appearances as well as their talents.

Other comments from the report refer to the plastic surgeries of some stars. One is said to have read: 'They had plastic surgery to the point where they were almost unrecognisable.'

According to Sports Kyunghyang, the criticism refers to a group from JYP Entertainment.

Another component of the report allegedly revealed suggestions that the K-pop group NewJeans would be 'disposed'.

According to Yahoo! News, the report reflects difficulty over a collaboration between NewJeans and other Hybe managed groups, ILLIT, and LE SSERAFIM.

It described disgruntled opinions after coming up with a name that would combine all three groups - the suggestion being 'New-I-LE'.

According to the alleged report, it was suggested that rather than trying to change the name, NewJeans could be erased from the collaboration.

'We can dispose of NewJeans and just come up with a new phrase,' said the report.

During the audit, CEO of Belift Lab and COO of Hybe, Kim Tae-ho, defended the document, arguing that the crushing commentary was not a reflection of Hybe's own opinions.

According to Kim Tae-ho, the remarks had instead been gathered from online forums so the label could monitor public perception.

Despite Hybe's attempts to defend itself, the controversy continued to spark outrage across the globe.

With the National Assembly audit still ongoing, the label took to their official website to release a a public statement apologising 'to the artists, industry stakeholders, and fans' who were upset by criticisms in the document.

The label reiterated that the harsh words were not their own but collated public opinion online.

They penned: 'We will hold accountable those who selectively leaked provocative portions of the report to make it appear as though Hybe had criticized the artists.'

But Hybe's COO was later made to apologise after members of the committee protested that the statement was made while the National Assembly audit was ongoing.

Defending the statement - which has since been removed from Hybe's website - Tae-ho insisted that the label had only wanted to prevent the spread of misinformation.

'I accept the criticism that it was inappropriate for the statement to be posted during the audit,' he said.

Later on 29 October, the label's CEO Lee Jae-Sang - who recently took over the role from Park Jiwon earlier this summer - released a full apology. reiterating Kim Tae-ho's sentiment that the commentary had been gathered online, and that the critiques were not a reflection of their own views.

Jae-Sang said the documents were never supposed to have made their way online and had only been shared by a small number of music executives.

He said it was 'highly inappropriate' for the document to have 'provocative and explicit expressions directed at K-pop artists'.

'This document was created as part of a process to retrospectively gather various reactions and public opinions on industry trends and issues,' adding that the report had only been shared with a 'limited number of leaders'.

'As the representative of the company, I acknowledge all the mistakes and take full responsibility,' he wrote.

'I formally and respectfully apologize to the external artists mentioned in the document who have suffered damage and distress.

'I am also sincerely extending an official apology to all the artists of HYBE Music Group who have been subjected to criticism due to the company,' he said.

Jae-Sang said the label were also reaching out to individual agencies to apologise directly.

'Additionally, I am also sincerely extending an official apology to all the artists of HYBE Music Group who have been subjected to criticism due to the company.

He promised 'to establish guidelines and strengthen internal controls to prevent such issues from occurring again' and assured that the label would not be making future 'monitoring documents'.

'As the company's representative, I commit to thorough reflection and self-examination to rectify past mistakes and prioritize the rights of all K-pop artists and respect for fans.

'We will do our utmost to contribute to the healthy development of the K-pop industry.'

One artist from Pledis Entertainment - which was acquired by Hybe in 2020 - took to social media to hit out at the mistreatment of idols in a post.

For all my colleagues working hard at this very moment, I feel like I can't keep silent any longer,' Seungkwan of Seventeen - who performed at Glastonbury this year - said on Instagram.

He stressed that performers are 'not items' and highlighted the arduous training K-pop stars go through.

'My whole body's stamina is drained,' he revealed. 'I just want everyone to stay healthy and not get sick.'

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