K-pop boy group BTS / Courtesy of Bighit Music

Amid intensifying internal disputes between HYBE and its subsidiary Ador, which manages the group NewJeans, rumors are spreading online alleging that HYBE is linked to a pseudo-religious organization and has been involved in past illegal music chart manipulation related to BTS.

HYBE responded to those allegations, Sunday, stating that the suspicions being raised are "completely unfounded." The company vowed to pursue strong legal action against any violation of their artists' rights.

Observers speculate that those allegations could be a retaliatory response by individuals who previously accused Ador CEO Min Hee-jin of turning to shamans for management advice. This counterattack appears to be an attempt to tarnish HYBE's reputation.

Certain online communities raised suspicions, Saturday, about HYBE's longstanding association with a meditation group that exhibits characteristics of a religious organization. Allegations surfaced that some members of BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT) under HYBE's Bighit Music label have attended schools closely affiliated with this group.

Allegations also surfaced that BTS members have directly or indirectly promoted this group.

HYBE faces allegations tying their artists and affiliated acts to the meditation group. The controversy includes the use of terms frequently associated with the group, notably in the last album of the girl group GFriend, managed by HYBE's subsidiary Source Music, and the title track "MAGO" which shares terminology with the group's religious language.

Similar claims have arisen regarding the debut song "Magnetic" by the rookie girl group ILLIT from HYBE's Belift Lab, which reportedly shares its name with an exercise developed by the group.

An exterior view of the main building of HYBE, the entertainment giant behind K-pop supergroup BTS, in Seoul / Yonhap

Stern warning issued against accusers

On the same day that allegations linked HYBE to the meditation group, suspicions of BTS's involvement in illegal music chart manipulation and concept theft also surfaced.

In 2017, an individual identified only as A was convicted and sentenced to a year in prison for using coercive tactics in the marketing of a BTS album. The individual claimed to have been coerced into participating in illicit streaming practices to boost BTS's album sales.

At that time, HYBE, formerly known as Bighit Entertainment, clarified that their actions were "normal online viral marketing."

Additionally, a magazine editor identified as B has recently spread allegations via social media that HYBE stole his ideas, which has gained traction across online communities, blogs, and social media platforms.

Amid the simultaneous emergence of these seemingly unrelated allegations, no concrete evidence has been presented regarding these two issues.

Bighit Music, under HYBE, announced through the fan community platform Weverse: "It has come to our attention that organizational efforts aimed at tarnishing and slandering our artists have escalated in recent weeks."

It said the company views these actions as "severe violation of the artists' rights and will respond decisively, engaging with a law firm" to reinforce its existing legal measures.

"We are collecting evidence of malicious postings through real-time monitoring as we speak," it said. "We will maintain a zero-tolerance policy and pursue this matter rigorously, without leniency or settlements."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.