Tensions contained in the HYBE fandom ecosystem are intensifying as a gaggle of Le Sserafim followers staged a truck protest outdoors the leisure firm’s Yongsan headquarters, demanding that the group be utterly separated from NewJeans amid lingering disputes and long-running fan wars.
On Friday, a number of LED protest vehicles appeared in entrance of HYBE’s constructing with sharply worded messages comparable to “Separate the actual sufferer Le Sserafim from the actual perpetrator,” “HYBE should take authorized motion in opposition to the barrage of hate feedback from the attacking fandom,” and “The debut order delayed by your govt — why blame Le Sserafim? That is actual office bullying.” One truck additionally displayed, “NewJeans unfold false claims even in courtroom — HYBE should separate them.”
Le Sserafim is managed by Supply Music, a label below HYBE. NewJeans is below Ador, one other HYBE subsidiary. The newest backlash comes after NewJeans members introduced their return to Ador this week, reigniting anger amongst Le Sserafim followers who argue that their artists have confronted unfair hostility attributable to disputes unrelated to them.
How the battle escalated
NewJeans and Ador spent greater than a yr embroiled in a high-profile authorized and administration battle with HYBE. Throughout the public exchanges, NewJeans members and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin claimed that HYBE had discriminated in opposition to the group and prioritized different HYBE artists, particularly naming Le Sserafim.
Min additionally stated that HYBE debuted Le Sserafim earlier than NewJeans regardless of Ador’s objections — a declare that triggered widespread on-line debates. In consequence, Le Sserafim turned linked to the controversy regardless of having no involvement within the dispute.
Le Sserafim, above, and NewJeans / Xportsnews
The framing unfold quickly on-line: NewJeans had been portrayed as “Kongji,” the harmless and mistreated heroine of a Korean folktale, whereas Le Sserafim was labeled the “Patji,” the villain. Even unrelated Le Sserafim content material drew mockery and hate feedback, fueling resentment amongst their followers.
On Wednesday, NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein formally introduced their return to Ador. Members Minji, Hanni and Danielle additionally declared they might rejoin, saying one member was at present in Antarctica and unable to speak rapidly. In line with Ador, discussions with the opposite three members are ongoing.
For Le Sserafim followers, the return of NewJeans below HYBE’s umbrella means the 2 teams will as soon as once more coexist throughout the identical company construction — a scenario they are saying exposes Le Sserafim to extra hostility. This concern culminated within the truck protest demanding “separation” for artist safety.
Not simply Le Sserafim — ILLIT followers are additionally upset
Followers of ILLIT, a woman group below HYBE’s BELIFT LAB, have additionally expressed frustration. Throughout the Ador-HYBE dispute, Min and NewJeans cited the launch of ILLIT for instance of HYBE undermining NewJeans’ model worth, even accusing ILLIT of copying NewJeans’ idea — claims that additional strained fan communities.
With a number of fandoms now clashing throughout social media, HYBE faces rising stress to defuse inside conflicts that proceed to dominate Okay-pop discourse.
This text from Xportsnews is customized by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Occasions.
