Bang Si Hyuk’s Instagram Sparks Controversy Regarding NewJeans
This article is part of our coverage of HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
A recent discussion on the popular online community theqoo has brought to light an intriguing observation about Bang Si Hyuk, the chairman of HYBE Corporation, and his interactions with the company’s music groups on Instagram.
Notably, NewJeans appears to be conspicuously absent from Bang’s social media despite other HYBE groups enjoying prominent features.
This discovery has stirred considerable conversation among Korean netizens, as groups like ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, TXT, fromis_9, KATSEYE, ZICO for BOYNEXTDOOR, BTS, and the J-pop boy group &TEAM, have all been highlighted on Bang’s Instagram. These appearances often include photos taken with Bang himself, pointing to a level of endorsement and personal connection.
NewJeans’s absence from Bang’s Instagram feed is notable because it breaks from the pattern observed with other groups under the HYBE label, as well as due to the recent ongoing feud between ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and HYBE. This has led to rampant speculation among fans and observers alike, with over 55,000 views and more than 700 comments flooding the original post discussing the issue.
Reactions from Korean netizens range from frustration to sympathy for NewJeans’ members. A few even expressed hope that NewJeans will eventually “break free” from the multi-label company. While some comments reflect disappointment and concern for the group’s treatment within the company, others suggest a sense of amusement at the perceived drama.
- “Min Hee Jin herself said they hadn’t been on good terms from the start… I guess neither parties involved invited one another or went to see one another. But that’s OK as long as the artist gets the support they need. I wouldn’t want to pose with Bang either.”
- “What a petty man…”
- “I feel so bad for the kids…”
- “He’s even chasing after pop-ups for all the other groups. He’s trying so hard, it’s hilarious LOL.”
- “Isn’t BOYNEXTDOOR missing, too?”
- “Hoping NewJeans can break free.”
- “It turns out she wasn’t a princess but poor Cinderella…”
- “Wow… LOL. I totally get why NewJeans members and their parents trusted and expected a lot from Min Hee Jin. This whole thing must be super moving for all of them.”
- “Based on the comments in the main post, this seems legit…”
- “Wow.”
- “He is something else… LMAO.”
