Amid deepening infighting between HYBE, the company behind the global phenomenon BTS, and its subsidiary ADOR, some have raised suspicions that HYBE is connected to a pseudo-religious group. Simultaneously, past controversies over BTS’s alleged album sales manipulation have been brought back into the spotlight.
On the 28th, HYBE dismissed these allegations as “entirely groundless,” saying, “We will respond legally to any infringement of our artists’ rights.”
Previously, rumors surfaced online suggesting that HYBE has a long-standing relationship with a meditation group labeled as a cult by Korean Protestantism. Some have even claimed that Universities attended by members of BTS and TXT, both under Big Hit Music, are closely related to this group.
Those who raise these suspicions argue that BTS has directly or indirectly participated in promoting the group and that symbols of the group can be found throughout the music of HYBE’S artists.
There is also a heated debate over a part of a KakaoTalk message revealed by Min Hee-jin, the representative of ADOR, during a press conference, which reads, “They threatened me with the ‘OMG’ music video.” Some netizens believe that Min Hee-Jin was targeted by a religious group connected to HYBE through the “OMG” music video.
BTS’s “Attack on Bangtan” lyrics have also been highlighted. Claims have been made that the lyrics, “Hit it right in the solar plexus, Dan! Jeon! Ho! Heup!” include symbols of this group.
The title of the last album track, “Mago,” by GFRIEND, a girl group under HYBE’s Source Music, is said to be a religious term often used by this group. Similarly, the title of the debut song “Magnetic” by the rookie girl group ILLIT, under Belift Lab, another subsidiary of HYBE, is said to be the name of an exercise created by this group.
In addition, BTS was also suspected of manipulating album sales. HYBE stated, “Recently, we’ve detected numerous organized attempts to defame and tarnish the reputation of BTS. We view this issue as a serious infringement of our artist’s reputation. In addition to our ongoing legal responses, we plan to appoint additional law firms to take strict action.”
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