Hive PR Representative-Journalist Call Recording Released
"NewJeans Gaslighting Min Hee-jin...Statements Made"
Hive "Recording Released Without Consent, Violation of Work Ethics, Strict Response"
HYBE has completely denied allegations of belittling the achievements of the group NewJeans.
Ado Min Hee-jin, CEO, filed an injunction to prohibit the exercise of voting rights against HYBE, continuing the conflict between HYBE and CEO Min. The photo was taken on the 8th at HYBE headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
On the 25th, Jang Hyung-woo, a reporter from Seoul Shinmun, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and stated, "HYBE's PR team is deliberately distorting and belittling NewJeans' achievements." During the broadcast, Reporter Jang revealed that a HYBE PR representative said, "NewJeans members were gaslighted by Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR," adding, "While fact corrections are naturally necessary, I felt the request from HYBE was malicious."
Reporter Jang also claimed that he was courted with golf entertainment and released a recorded phone conversation as evidence.
In response, HYBE issued an official statement on its website, stating that "we only requested corrections of incorrect information and that the claim of belittling NewJeans is groundless."
HYBE explained, "The reporter mentioned NewJeans' Japan concert on July 17 and wrote that '1.02 million albums were sold locally,' but at that time, about 50,000 albums were sold in Japan, and over 900,000 were sold domestically. Leaving incorrect information as is could cause significant confusion among the market and investors, so we requested a correction. HYBE PR supported media coverage at NewJeans' Tokyo Dome fan meeting."
Regarding the 'gaslighting' remark, HYBE clarified, "The reporter asked, 'How is it possible to take over management rights with less than 20% stake?' and the expression came up during the explanation that in the entertainment industry, if producers and artists are strongly bound, such attempts can be made regardless of shareholding." On the golf entertainment allegation, HYBE emphasized, "The golf schedule with the media outlet's department head was set in May, well before the recorded call, but was canceled as it was deemed inappropriate to proceed during a sensitive period."
HYBE stated, "Reporter Jang recorded his work-related calls with the PR representative and leaked them to the opposing party in the dispute. We sent a certified letter of protest to the media in July. Nevertheless, the reporter disclosed the call contents on air under the name of a tip without the other party's consent. This is a serious breach of journalistic ethics for a reporter who should maintain impartiality," and announced a strict response policy.
The following is the full statement from HYBE.
Notice.
We would like to explain regarding the remarks made by Jang Hyung-woo, a reporter from Seoul Shinmun, on today's CBS Radio 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show.'
The reporter mentioned NewJeans' Japan concert on July 17 and wrote that '1.02 million albums were sold locally' as a result of the concert's success.
However, at that time, about 50,000 albums were sold in Japan, and over 900,000 were sold domestically. As a corporate PR representative, we could not leave incorrect information uncorrected and requested a revision. If the article's claim that 1.02 million albums were sold only in Japan were true, it could be inferred that tens of millions were sold globally. Leaving incorrect information as is could cause significant confusion among the market and investors, so we proceeded with the correction request. There is absolutely no reason for a corporate PR representative to speak negatively about NewJeans' achievements.
In fact, HYBE PR dispatched personnel locally to support close media coverage of NewJeans' Tokyo Dome fan meeting to facilitate smooth media coverage and positive reporting. HYBE PR also proposed to the label to support coverage of the pop-up store as well as the concert so that NewJeans' popularity in Japan could be felt. Accordingly, many on-site review articles highlighting NewJeans' popularity in Japan were able to be published.
Regarding the 'gaslighting' remark, the reporter asked, "How is it possible to take over management rights with less than 20% stake?" and the expression came up during the explanation that in the entertainment industry, if producers and artists are strongly bound, such attempts can be made regardless of shareholding.
The golf schedule with the media outlet's department head was set in May, well before the recorded call by Reporter Jang, but was canceled as it was deemed inappropriate to proceed during a sensitive period due to changed circumstances.
Reporter Jang recorded his work-related calls with the PR representative and leaked them to the opposing party in the dispute. We sent a certified letter of protest to the media in July. Nevertheless, the reporter disclosed the call contents on air under the name of a tip without the other party's consent. This is a serious breach of journalistic ethics for a reporter who should maintain impartiality. We hereby inform that we will respond strictly to this matter.
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