Explanation Of HYBE's Elevator Protocol Makes Bang Si Hyuk's Ignoring NewJeans Even Worse

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.

In the ongoing feud between HYBE Labels and ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, BIGHIT MUSIC founder and HYBE chairperson Bang Si Hyuk recently came under direct fire when NewJeans‘ parents alleged that he would intentionally ignore the members’ greetings.

NewJeans-2023-cr-ADOR-billboard-1548 — NewJeans | *ADOR*

It is one of the latest developments in the accusations that NewJeans have been mistreated by people at HYBE Labels, especially in comparison to how other artists such as LE SSERAFIM have been seen to be treated by Bang. It only adds to the evidence that there is clear bias against NewJeans as an artist under ADOR and managed by Hee Jin and the narrative that HYBE seems to focus most of its attention and resources on artists that they directly manage.

T100-Companies-HYBE — Bang Si Hyuk | *HYBE Labels*

And now, a new revelation about how the elevators are used in the HYBE building has brought even stronger criticism towards Bang Si Hyuk, since it was an elevator that was directly mentioned as being one of the places that he ignored the NewJeans members.

According to this information, the elevators that the staff use are different than those used by the artists, who use private elevators and tend to not be seen by other employees at HYBE.

Because of this, it seems like Bang Si Hyuk would know that NewJeans was an artist at the company when in the same elevator with him, even if his claims of having “facial recognition disorder” are true.

Translation: This separation of entrances means that the artists’ space is inaccessible to the general staff. Usually, artists take a private elevator from the underground parking lot, live in their own space, and leave after work, so the general staff rarely sees them. When asked if they see the artists often, A from the PR team said, “They’re like unicorns in HYBE. You hear they’re out there somewhere, but few people have seen them,” they joked.

In other words, if the facial recognition disorder was real, there would be no reason not to receive greetings only from NewJeans. Everyone who rides is an artist, so even if you don’t know their face, there’s no way they won’t get greeted.

Korean netizens are reacting to the new information with even more scathing remarks towards HYBE and Si Hyuk.

“It was worse than I imagined.”
“Ugh, it’s too much, he just ignored them outright.”
“In the first place, whether it’s an ordinary employee or an artist, if someone greets you first in a space where there are only two people, it’s human to receive it… Facial recognition disorder I’m going to laugh lol.”
“It’s not like he had hundreds of artists under him. ‘Not knowing them’ is just a ridiculous excuse.”
“It’s really too much.”

International K-Pop fans have similar sentiments, thinking that Bang Si Hyuk’s alleged attitude towards NewJeans’ members is inexcusable.