Leaked Internal Documents From HYBE Lead To Suspicions That They Sabotaged RIIZE
On October 24, 2024, HYBE representatives participated in an audit with the National Assembly. During the audit, internal documents were disclosed, which not only pertained to HYBE’s own groups but also included remarks about other companies’ groups.
These revelations sparked significant backlash on social media. One particular document allegedly exposed HYBE’s reports on negative media plays against groups from SM Entertainment, such as aespa and RIIZE, as well as JYP Entertainment’s NMIXX. The document allegedly outlined criticism on aespa’s live singing at Coachella, circulation old photos of a RIIZE member, and accusations for NMIXX of appealing to feminists.
In particular, the alleged plans for RIIZE sparked large backlash due to the recent issue surrounding former member Seunghan. Seunghan made the decision to leave the group in October 2024 after a long hiatus, given the controversy surrounding his pre-debut photos and personal life.
Korean Netizens In Disapproval Of RIIZE Seunghan’s “Couple Photos” In Bed
A document titled “Music Industry Report” was released during the audit.
A news article from Korean outlet Sports Kyunghyang on the audit reported that in the article, there seemed to be plans to generate negative news about SM Entertainment groups.
They mentioned SM Entertainment’s group [redacted], writing “You can counteract any attacks made on [HYBE group, redacted] by using [SM Entertainment group, redacted] as a shield. When someone says that any member is ugly, it can be countered with the member [name redacted] pre-debut photos, or saying that [name redacted] cannot dance and is stiff, while showing clips of them. This is a pattern that is already well-used on DC Inside.
— Sports Kyunghyang
The number of syllables in the redacted names have led fans to suspect that it is related to RIIZE, and in particular Seunghan.
wait hold on.. so hybe was behind all of these riize past photos??? including seunghan? 😳 https://t.co/j5ktmIlBPT
— ᴇʟᴇᴀ (@imnoteleanor) October 24, 2024
So seunghan suffered all of that because of HYBE's obsession with beating SM ? https://t.co/6tGUjX8upg
— Wayo (@AzelLee4) October 24, 2024
Not only did Seunghan face issues with pre-debut photos, other member Sohee was also targeted by such matters when his past photos were released.
RIIZE Member Hit With Immediate Backlash After Unsavory Past Photos Are Exposed
As all names were redacted from the original report publicized at the audit due to privacy matters, the particular group and members have not been confirmed. HYBE has since denied the matter in a now-deleted statement.
HYBE Posts Then Deletes Statement Addressing Accusations Of Sabotaging Other Companies’ Artists
