Recording of HYBE's PR director asking a journalist to downplay NewJeans' achievement leaked to the media ft. allegations of bribing journalists with golf events. HYBE releases statement

 Recording of HYBE's PR director asking a journalist to downplay NewJeans' achievement leaked to the media ft. allegations of bribing journalists with golf events. HYBE releases statement

Summary = A reporter from the Seoul Shinmun's business department wrote an article about NewJeans' success at Tokyo Dome and HYBE's stock. The head of HYBE PR called to downplay NewJeans' performance in Japan and requested a revision of the article. It was also mentioned that Min Hee-jin's injunction victory was due to gaslighting related to NewJeans. There is a recorded conversation about inviting the head of the business department to play golf, suggesting an attempt to influence (lobby) reporters.

Tweet: This is Jo Sunghoon, HYBE's PR director ^^

A (HYBE PR): You wrote that they (NJ) sold 1.02M copies in Japan

Jang Hyungwoo (journalist): Yes yes

A: This is the overall sales

JHW: Ah overall ok

A: They're not selling this much in Japan. Because NJ is our artist, aside from our dispute with Min Hee-jin, we need to promote them properly to make sure they succeed, so we need to get the facts right. Those aren't their Japan sales. They did worse than..What we thought, so we need to correct this right away.

Tweet: Min Hee-jin gaslit NewJeans?

A: Wow this is how it works in the industry. How can you bind yourself to the artist and gaslight them psychologically? She "darkened" the inside business and seized our business like that. If she's able to do this successfully, then she'll win the injunction.

Tweet: You'll include a journalist in your meeting to persuade them? + They fixed a date for their golf

JHW: Our chief's mostly focuses on sales performances as a bottom line

A: Just focus on fixing this small trivial part, I'll send in a notice for that. Ah but I feel like we should turn around the chief's heart a little, otherwise we'll have to keep writing detailed things like that

JHW: Right

A: You're tired and I'm tired too 

JHW: I didn't even know who was who, I don't know anything about this 

A: Then let's schedule a date fast, otherwise this won't do (laugh) We'll include you (in the event) 

original post: here

1. I'm so embarrassed for them 

2. NewJeans fighting

3. They need to win their lawsuit... 

4. A company who will go around dragging their own artists 

5. Wow how can they do this.. To their own company's girl group 

6. NewJeans and Min Hee-jin, win this 

7. Wow this is insane?

8. This was shocking 

9. Wow this is so disgusting, but they can't even hide their disgusting acts well and just end up embarrassing themselves

10. HYBE is disgusting... NewJeans fighting, win the lawsuit

[instiz] HYBE'S STATEMENT

We would like to inform you.

We are providing an explanation regarding the statements made by reporter Jang from the Seoul Shinmun on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" today.

The reporter mentioned the success of NewJeans' concert in Japan on July 17, stating that "1.02 million albums were sold locally." 

However, at that time, approximately 50,000 copies were sold in Japan, while over 900,000 were sold domestically. As a corporate PR representative, we could not leave this misinformation uncorrected and requested a revision. If, as stated in the article, 1.02 million copies were sold only in Japan, it could imply that tens of millions were sold in the global market. Leaving incorrect information unaddressed could cause significant confusion for the market and investors, which is why we proceeded with the correction request. As a corporate PR representative, there is absolutely no reason to speak negatively about NewJeans' achievements.

In fact, HYBE PR dispatched personnel to the Tokyo Dome fan meeting for NewJeans, enabling the media to closely cover the event and facilitating smooth media reporting and positive coverage. HYBE PR also suggested support for not only concert coverage but also pop-up store coverage to help highlight NewJeans' popularity in Japan. As a result, there were numerous on-site review articles illuminating NewJeans' popularity in Japan.

Regarding the "gaslighting" comment, the reporter asked, "How can there be a takeover of management rights when they hold less than 20% equity?" The response from the entertainment industry indicated that if the producer and artist are strongly bound, it can be attempted regardless of the equity ratio.

The golf schedule with the head of the media outlet was arranged back in May, well before reporter Jang's recorded phone call, but it was canceled due to changing circumstances that made it inappropriate to proceed during a sensitive time.

Reporter Jang recorded the contents of a work-related call with the PR representative and leaked it to the opposing party. In July, we sent a formal notice to the media outlet to protest this. Despite this, he appeared on the broadcast and disclosed the contents of his conversation with the PR representative under the guise of a tip, without the other party's consent. This is a serious violation of journalistic ethics, which should be upheld. We will respond to this matter strictly.

original post: here

1. Golf ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

2. Seriously they're so dumb that all they can do is bad things 

3. They will die and never say sorry 

4. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The clarification sounds like a loser, should've stayed quiet

5. Anyways the news only reported facts

6. They're quite quick ㅋㅋ

7. What?

8. Their tongue is sure damn long

9. Freaking low, ajussi, screw off already and stip being annoying

10. Nobody is reading ㅎ