HYBE and its subsidiary BIGHIT MUSIC are facing renewed scrutiny over their handling of the controversy involving TXT leader Soobin and allegedly fabricated explicit images circulating online.
As fans continue demanding stronger action against those spreading the material, Koreaboo has launched a poll asking whether the agency has handled the situation appropriately.
Published on October 29, 2026, the poll follows weeks of online speculation and criticism directed at the company.
While BIGHIT MUSIC has now issued an official statement condemning the spread of false information and malicious rumors, some fans believe the response came too late.
The controversy began when unverified claims about Soobin’s private life circulated on Chinese social media alongside images purportedly depicting the singer.
Fans questioned the authenticity of the material, with many alleging that it had been digitally manipulated or generated using artificial intelligence.
The situation has since escalated into a broader discussion about celebrity privacy, online harassment and the responsibilities of entertainment agencies when their artists become targets of malicious rumors.
BIGHIT MUSIC Breaks Its Silence and Promises Legal Action
As the allegations continued spreading online, fans increasingly called on HYBE and BIGHIT MUSIC to address the situation.
Some organized campaigns urging the agency to issue a statement, remove harmful content and pursue legal action against those responsible.
On October 22, BIGHIT MUSIC released an official notice addressing the spread of false information and malicious rumors targeting Soobin.
The company explained that it had initially avoided making public comments because it did not want an official response to amplify the allegations further.
In its statement, the agency said,
“Until now, we refrained from issuing announcements or comments to prevent false rumors from being unnecessarily amplified by official statements.”
However, the company acknowledged that the situation had reached a point requiring additional measures to protect the artist’s rights and well-being.
BIGHIT MUSIC also warned that spreading malicious content could violate an artist’s rights and damage their reputation.
It confirmed that evidence was being collected from domestic and international platforms and pledged to pursue firm legal action against those responsible, without settlement or leniency.
The agency further encouraged fans to report malicious posts and illegal content through HYBE’s Artist Rights Violation Report System rather than helping the material spread.
Although the announcement was welcomed by some supporters, others questioned why the company had not responded publicly sooner.
The delay became a central point of criticism, particularly as the allegations continued circulating online.
The agency has not publicly verified the authenticity of the images circulating in connection with the allegations.
Its statement instead focused on the spread of false information, malicious rumors and content that infringes upon the artist’s rights.
Koreaboo Poll Asks Whether HYBE Could Have Done More
Koreaboo’s latest poll invites readers to share their opinions on whether HYBE handled the controversy well or whether additional action was necessary. Participants can cast their votes once every two hours until the poll closes.
The question reflects the divide among fans over the agency’s response.
While some consider the legal-action announcement an important step toward protecting Soobin, others believe earlier intervention could have helped limit the spread of the rumors.
The debate has also intensified following a recent livestream featuring TXT members Yeonjun, Taehyun and Huening Kai.
During the broadcast, the members discussed the importance of not placing too much trust in everything encountered online.
Huening Kai told viewers,
“MOA, you shouldn’t put too much trust in just what’s right in front of you.”
Taehyun also cautioned fans against believing everything circulating on the internet. Some viewers interpreted the exchange as an indirect reference to the controversy involving Soobin.
However, the members did not explicitly mention him or confirm that their comments were related to the allegations.
Meanwhile, reports that some individuals were planning a funeral-wreath protest directed at Soobin have added another layer to the controversy, drawing criticism from fans who believe the artist should not be subjected to further harassment.
The situation has renewed conversations about the responsibility of agencies to protect performers from online abuse while avoiding actions that could unintentionally increase attention surrounding unverified claims.
For now, BIGHIT MUSIC has promised firm legal action and asked fans to report harmful content.
The outcome of Koreaboo’s poll will reflect the opinions of its participating readers, but it will not determine whether the agency’s response was legally or professionally sufficient.
As the discussion continues, the key concerns remain the protection of Soobin’s privacy, the prevention of further circulation of potentially fabricated material and the importance of treating unverified online allegations with caution.
