Recent controversies have engulfed HYBE Entertainment’s top acts, with BTS revisiting old allegations of digital ‘sajaegi’ and SEVENTEEN facing scrutiny over their remarkable album sales.
The root of BTS’ current ordeal can be traced back to a conflict between HYBE and ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, leading to a resurgence of past controversies. Despite BTS members being on hiatus due to military service, the group finds itself at the center of allegations dating back to a 2017 lawsuit.
An individual involved in illegal marketing activities for Big Hit (now HYBE) was convicted, implicating BTS in accusations of hiring a third party to manipulate digital rankings.
The revival of these allegations has triggered public skepticism and tarnished BTS’ reputation, prompting fans to defend the group vigorously. After initially staying silent, HYBE has vehemently denied all accusations and taken legal action against attacks on BTS. However, public suspicions have led the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to announce an investigation into the digital sajaegi claims, reigniting a contentious issue after eight years.
Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN, under Pledis Entertainment and now part of HYBE, faced intense scrutiny following the release of their compilation album “Best Album: 17 Is Right Here.” Despite impressive sales exceeding 2 million copies on the first day, questions arose about the group’s global popularity compared to their Asian fanbase concentration.
Netizens raised doubts about SEVENTEEN’s achievements, particularly post-HYBE acquisition, suggesting that the group’s sales figures might have been manipulated. However, SEVENTEEN’s consistent success, including breaking revenue records and achieving Billboard chart milestones, challenges these suspicions.
The group’s concert tickets sell out rapidly, and they have upcoming performances at prestigious venues like Nissan Stadium in Japan, underscoring their strong fanbase and market appeal.
While concerns about SEVENTEEN’s environmental impact due to album sales promotions in Japan have surfaced, they also serve as a testament to the group’s substantial sales. Ultimately, suspicions of album sales manipulation lack substantial evidence, given SEVENTEEN’s consistent growth and industry achievements.
