Is NewJeans being pushed out? Leaked HYBE report sparks fan outrage

Last update:October 26, 2024, 18:25 IST

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism briefly released HYBE’s audited internal records but quickly restricted access, citing concerns that the information could cause public harm.

Among the revelations were insights into HYBE’s future strategic plans for its girl groups. (Photo credit: Instagram)

Internal documents from South Korean entertainment company HYBE, containing alleged defamatory comments about idol groups, have sparked heated debates within the K-pop community. Among the most surprising revelations were information regarding HYBE’s future strategic plans for its girl groups, with a particular focus on NewJeans, which left fans of the popular girl group shocked. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, initially responsible for making HYBE’s audited records public, quickly restricted access, citing concerns about the potential for public harm. By then, fans had already taken screenshots and soon fragments of the documents began circulating online.

The documents reportedly suggested a move to rename HYBE’s girl group lineup, potentially leaving NewJeans behind. When ILLIT joined the HYBE roster along with NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM, the media began using the nickname “New-ILL-LE” as a shorthand for this emerging wave of idols. This label, meant to highlight the combined star power of these groups, seemed promising. But in the documents, HYBE executives discussed Nuevo dropping the term, possibly moving away from its current trio approach to amplify LE SSERAFIM’s promotional status, Koreaboo reports.

Reports also detailed how ILLIT’s tie-up with NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM initially brought more attention to ILLIT, the latest addition to HYBE’s girl group lineup.

“As various communities began using ‘New-ILL-LE by HYBE’ to refer to NewJeans, ILLIT, and LE SSERAFIM, people began mentioning ILLIT more,” the report states. This strategy appeared to create greater visibility for ILLIT.

But as reports progressed, HYBE’s ambition to distinguish LE SSERAFIM was highlighted, with the specific aim of placing them in a league of their own, apart from their existing trio label. It seems HYBE intends to elevate LE SSERAFIM among industry giants like BLACKPINK, aespa, and IVE, groups celebrated for reaching million-seller status in their first week of sales.

This ambition to cement LE SSERAFIM’s status led to discussions about distancing them from the New-ILL-LE title and ultimately removing NewJeans from the mix.

“At this time, it might be necessary to link LE SSERAFIM with BLACKPINK, aespa and IVE in the girl group category as millions of sellers in the first week of sales and separate them from the fourth generation. “We were plagued by the term New-ILL-LE for a few days, but we can just throw out ‘New’ and start something completely new,” HYBE’s report said, suggesting a shift in its promotional approach.

The publication of these documents comes on the heels of the recent audit of HYBE by the National Assembly, which subjected its internal strategies to intense scrutiny.