HYBE Under Fire For Allegedly Exploiting ILLIT Wonhee’s Health
ILLIT’s Wonhee will not participate in scheduled activities due to poor health, but that’s not all that has fans concerned.
On May 23, it was announced that Wonhee had received treatment at the hospital and would not participate in ILLIT’s performance that day.
“Hello, we are here to inform you about ILLIT Wonhee’s schedule. Due to her poor health condition, she received medical treatment today. According to the medical staff, she will not attend the Hannam University festival scheduled for today (May 23). We hope that the students and fans can understand our decision.
We plan to prioritize our artists’ health while organizing schedules, and we will do our best to ensure that Wonhee can recover well and meet with fans again. Thank you.”
Popular Korean news outlet Newsen, then released an article strongly implying a link between Wonhee’s health issues and the recent high-profile feud between HYBE and ADOR. An article in which they linked Wonhee’s health condition and a statement from BELIFT LAB regarding the plagiarism accusations from ADOR and malicious online hate that followed.
ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, another label under HYBE, caused controversy by claiming that ILLIT had plagiarized NewJeans. Afterward, malicious comments flooded ILLIT’s live broadcast. Fans spotted Wonhee reporting malicious comments during the broadcast.
ILLIT’s agency’s statement revealed they had filed a complaint against Min Hee Jin for causing damage to the group with false claims.
We would like to state clearly that the claims made by CEO Min regarding plagiarism against our artists are not true. We have submitted evidence to prove the allegations false, and we will take the necessary steps, although long, to reveal the truth.
— BELIFT LAB
Sentiment quickly turned on the news outlet and HYBE for what many felt was an unfair smear campaign against Min Hee Jin—accusing them of “media play”.
- “This is sad for her, but why are they blaming Min Hee Jin? Min Hee Jin didn’t hate on ILLIT.”
- “This company has never posted an announcement about filing claims for idols. Are they trying to use media play now?”
- “It’s so sad they are using her being sick to release an article. Stop using young kids…the company is getting the most hate…they have no care for protecting the artists.”
- “I guess that agency can’t release any news articles if there’s no Min Hee Jin.”
- “It’s HYBE that couldn’t handle things well. Why are they putting it all on Min Hee Jin?”
- “Guess they have nothing to say about ILLIT’s official account following a malicious account.”
- “They’re tying this in together like this? Wow might as well say that global warming is accelerating because of Min Hee Jin lol.”
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