Newly leaked internal documents full of comments and remarks about a myriad of K-Pop artists from HYBE employees are making the rounds online. Among the many groups mentioned — including aespa, IVE, Newjeans, BTS, RIIZE, and SEVENTEEN — comments made about BLACKPINK and their popularity stand out.
On a comment made back in March 2023, BLACKPINK’s tour sales are analyzed with the employee deeming that the group’s concert footage posted online greatly benefits their image and popularity.
It seems like their ticket power isn’t as strong in Japan and North America, but they’re still drawing good numbers across Asia and Europe. After their concert in Kaohsiung, their songs started charting again in Taiwan. Though Taiwan and Hong Kong are smaller markets and may not seem hugely impactful, fans posting concert footage of a venue with a packed audience does benefit the group’s image.
— HYBE document
The remark notes Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé‘s individual popularities and the impact their solo close-up fancams from their shows seem to have. In this comment, the employee slams the group, crediting their impressive popularity to their pre-existing fame. In fact, the comment labels them a “famous-for-being-famous” group.
They’ve been doing a lot of tours lately, with a notable increase in close-up fan cams of individual members. BLACKPINK is pretty much the classic case of a “famous-for-being-famous” group, so gathering proof of their top-star lifestyle across Asia is a valuable asset for them.
— HYBE document
The comment hasn’t been well received online, with many fans disappointed that BLACKPINK’s achievements and artistry are being undermined. At the same time, fans seem perplexed by the fact that the K-Pop giant seems to keep tabs on the girl group, going as far as being updated on their tour dates and respective sales.
girl hybe literally had a whole ass informe about all BLACKPINK's moves and schedules tf pic.twitter.com/xkeejHQHhn
— ً🧋 (@Spicycults2) October 28, 2024
Hybe truly watching every single move blackpink made😭😭and they truly where the ones behind the narrative of "they are only famous for being celebrities"💀😭(when they blew up cus D4,even before coachella or having a deal with an US label😭😭) pic.twitter.com/q87x5qgfAd
— ♠️ (@abrandonhersoul) October 28, 2024
As more internal reports from HYBE leak, tensions keep growing among K-Pop fandoms. You can read what the documents said about RIIZE members below:
HYBE Internal Documents Expose Shocking Insults Towards RIIZE
