Just a day ago, HYBE's COO Kim Tae-ho was questioned about a rather questionable HYBE internal report during a National Assembly audit. Now, the document has been revealed by Channel A, and it instantly sent shockwaves across the K-pop community. The report not only criticised groups and idols from other labels, but also targeted NewJeans.
While the internal reports was drawn-out, three major remarks seem to have caught everyone's attention. LE SSERAFIM compared to Blackpink and TWICEIn the document, HYBE noted that LE SSERAFIM had built up a reputation for quality live performances over the past few years, so the label wanted to increase their touring to position them as a girl group that could compete with boy groups. As the report continued, it explained how LE SSERAFIM needed to combine the positive aspects of Blackpink and TWICE to fill the void left by the absence of top-tier girl group.
"Blackpink targeted Coachella and had numerous exchanges with foreign celebrities, but their problem was that they lacked intensive management. TWICE has strong teamwork and performs at major stadiums, but struggles with handling controversial issues," the report read. HYBE bashes aespa, IVE, Stray Kids and NCTIVE, aespa Stray Kids, NCT Dream and (G)I-DLE were all openly criticized in the HYBE internal report.
While aespa were mocked for their lack of synchronization and teamwork on stage, (G)I-DLE's Super Lady concept photos were ridiculed for having too many similarities to 2NE1's sty.
