HYBE Report Bluntly Criticizes Idol Looks
Seungkwan Posts on SNS, "We Are Not Your Items"
"Please Stop Causing Irreparable Harm"
Hive has come under controversy after it was revealed that the company created a "Weekly Music Industry Report" (hereinafter referred to as the "Industry Trend Report") that included evaluations of various idols' appearances and shared it with executives including Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. Amid this, Seungkwan (Boo Seungkwan), a member of SEVENTEEN under Hive's label Pledis Entertainment, posted a message expressing his thoughts on the idol industry.
In the early hours of the 29th, Seungkwan wrote on his Instagram, "I can no longer remain silent, just watching these situations unfold and hoping the fire will go out, for my people who are hurt, my fans, my members, and all the colleagues who are working hard even at this moment. To some, this may seem like meddling, to others a premature post, but still, I am gathering courage to speak out."
He continued, "Being a celebrity is a profession I chose, so there are parts I must endure because of the love I receive, but I don’t think it’s a job where you have to suffer wounds and slowly eat away at yourself until you’re on the verge of death just to endure somehow."
Seungkwan pointed out, "Including our members, the colleagues and friends I know who are working hard together in the large industry called K-pop are people who genuinely love this work purely. I want to make this clear: we are not people who have carried out our activities so smoothly and gently that we can be easily judged and criticized."
He added, "They are people who have been hurt enough, have fallen apart, and yet somehow overcome it all, desperately trying to show their best selves to fans on stage. I hope people don’t take idols lightly. They have no right to easily insert themselves into our stories. Not only for us but for other artists as well, we are not your items. I hope people don’t think they can use and enjoy us as they please," he emphasized.
Furthermore, Seungkwan wrote, "It’s beautiful to build even small memories together, and if fans enjoy seeing that, even better. I like the challenge culture," explaining, "Meeting with respect and being able to help even a little is meaningful and something to be thankful for." The Hive report additionally revealed on the 28th included content that disparaged idols from other companies by comparing their physiques and appearances during dance challenges with Hive’s idols.
He continued, "I need to make an effort first, but I hope we all become a little warmer. If we look at each other warmly, support, love, and treat each other kindly, maybe things can improve a bit. Also, I really hate watching someone break down and eventually give up. I hope the wounds that cannot be taken responsibility for will stop. This is my earnest wish," he concluded.
SEVENTEEN member Wonwoo commented on the post, expressing agreement with "I hope the world becomes as warm as Seungkwan said."
Earlier, on the 24th, during the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee’s audit (hereinafter referred to as the audit), Editor A of Weverse Magazine under Hive disclosed part of the so-called "Industry Trend Report" sent by email to Hive executives. The report contained derogatory language that disparaged the appearances and skills of other idol groups.
During the audit, Hive stated on its official website, "This was created by extracting community and SNS reactions as they were, for reference by a small number of internal personnel regarding industry trends and issues, and does not represent Hive’s position." They also warned, "We will hold accountable those who leaked the report externally, making it appear as if Hive created materials criticizing artists by piecing together only provocative content."
Committee members, including Chairman Jeon Jae-su of the Culture Committee, expressed strong displeasure, saying Hive’s statement "renders the audit meaningless." Kim Tae-ho, Hive’s COO and CEO of Belief Lab, who appeared as a witness, said, "I humbly accept the criticism that the statement was inappropriate and sincerely apologize. The statement was posted urgently to respond quickly to media inquiries and prevent the spread of inaccurate information."
Kim COO added, "It was never our intention to disrespect the National Assembly. Issuing the statement during the audit was a clear mistake on our part. We understand the importance of the audit and had no intention to undermine the authority of the National Assembly," bowing his head repeatedly.
Meanwhile, new contents of the report have been additionally revealed since the Culture Committee audit on the 24th, causing further repercussions.
Below is the full text of the post by SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan.
I no longer want to see people hurting each other.
Watching many things that have happened so far, I have endured with the thought that somehow it will pass and have always worked hard with my members. But now, I feel I can no longer remain silent, just watching these situations unfold and hoping the fire will go out, for my people who are hurt, my fans, my members, and all the colleagues who are working hard even at this moment.
To some, this may seem like meddling, to others a premature post, but still, I am gathering courage to speak out.
Being a celebrity is a profession I chose, so there are parts I must endure because of the love I receive, but I don’t think it’s a job where you have to suffer wounds and slowly eat away at yourself until you’re on the verge of death just to endure somehow.
I just wanted to do my best and take responsibility for the given work, repay the fans who love me, and somehow share the good energy I can give in various ways. So the burden, pressure, and physical and mental fatigue are indeed beyond words.
Even so, at this moment, we have to get through it. Some look at it rationally, some smile positively, and others endure and live somehow, even though it’s hard. Because I chose this, I have to bear it?but that reason feels so cruel and harsh today.
Some days are sunny, some days are cloudy. Today is very cloudy for me. Haven’t I ever tried to overcome positively? Haven’t I ever tried to smile somehow? But today is not easy. I feel sorry for those who might be hurt at this moment. It’s upsetting that I can’t hold them all. I wonder if my clumsy and awkward words can resonate with someone, if they can be a comfort to someone.
Including our members, the colleagues and friends I know who are working hard together in the large industry called K-pop are people who genuinely love this work purely. They get hurt because they are so sincere, and sometimes feel empty because they love it so much, but still, day by day, they live giving and receiving love for themselves, their members, their families, and their fans.
I want to make this clear: we are not people who have carried out our activities so smoothly and gently that we can be easily judged and criticized. They are people who have been hurt enough, have fallen apart, and yet somehow overcome it all, desperately trying to show their best selves to fans on stage. I hope people don’t take idols lightly.
They have no right to easily insert themselves into our stories. Not only for us but for other artists as well, we are not your items. I hope people don’t think they can use and enjoy us as they please.
Just looking at one week of music shows, all our energy is drained. Even while handling ads, events, concerts, and other schedules, nowadays many colleagues greet me with a warmer smile than I do. Every time that happens, I smile back and greet them. That’s about all I can do for them. When they greet us cheerfully, that one moment is precious and thankful. Even a single line from a message written by colleagues in an album can give me strength when I’m tired. I just hope everyone stays healthy and doesn’t get hurt.
I like the challenge culture. Whether close or strangers, leaving a challenge video where colleagues dance together off-stage is one of the most beautiful and cool moments of youth. Building even small memories together is beautiful, and if fans enjoy seeing that, even better. Even if we don’t know each other, being able to say a small word of encouragement like “fighting” after filming, despite the awkward and embarrassing atmosphere, is good. Meeting with respect and being able to help even a little is meaningful and something to be thankful for.
I need to make an effort first, but I hope we all become a little warmer. If we look at each other warmly, support, love, and treat each other kindly, maybe things can improve a bit. Also, I really hate watching someone break down and eventually give up. I hope the wounds that cannot be taken responsibility for will stop. This is my earnest wish. I no longer want to see myself, my members, all the colleagues working hard even now, the staff who sincerely support us, and our fans getting hurt. I want to say sorry and love to the fans who are warmly loving us even at this moment.
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