It’s that time of year again! While December is filled with year-end countdowns, I like to take a look back at some of K-pop’s biggest agencies during November. Before reading (especially if you’re new to the blog), it’s helpful to know that my grading focuses most heavily on music releases and how comebacks are managed and delivered to fans. Scandals and non-musical factors can certainly impact an agency’s grade, but the biggest criteria will always be the music itself. Following SM Entertainment‘s analysis, it’s time to dive into HYBE Corporation.
As usual, the thoughts below are my own and aren’t privy to any insider information. There will be plenty of subjective critique.
The Good
It’s become fashionable to claim that HYBE is “ruining K-pop,” and I must admit I’ve had my criticisms of the agency in the past. But I’d argue that, more and more, they’re responsible for much of the year’s best music – especially among the “big four” agencies. Part of this is due to sheer quantity. They have so many artists and sub-labels under their umbrella, almost guaranteeing there will be something for everyone. But amidst some of HYBE’s artistic struggles (more on that later), their suite of 2025 songs is diverse and often quite strong.
Funny enough, the agency that started it all (Big Hit) ended up producing my least favorite music of the bunch. But even if songs weren’t to my taste, there’s no denying the success of BTS’s solos, TXT’s comebacks and the buzzy debut of new group CORTIS.
Next we’ve got Pledis Entertainment, which was actually the most profitable division of HYBE this year. I’m sure that’s mostly due to Seventeen, who released both full group and sub-unit material and (of course) toured extensively. But for me, TWS continue to lead the charge with so much of my favorite music of 2025 (and a successful Japanese debut, to boot!).
Belift Lab continued to bear fruit, with incredible sales for ENHYPEN. They’re firmly at the A-level now when it comes to popularity. After a successful debut year in 2024, ILLIT’s music really clicked with me this year. Both their Korean and Japanese work was strong and I feel like they’re starting to lean into more interesting sounds.
Next up we’ve got KOZ Entertainment, home to Zico and BOYNEXTDOOR. The former mostly worked behind the scenes while the latter enjoyed an extremely successful year. Not only did they release one of the year’s biggest chart hits back in January but they also became million-sellers. That’s hugely impressive.
Finally, Source Music’s LE SSERAFIM continue to chug along. I found their 2025 work to be a step up from last year, and new single Spaghetti is looking like a bonafide chart hit.
Moving into international markets, HYBE’s global projects also saw huge success. Katseye continue to be a very buzzy act worldwide and just scored a Grammy nomination for best new artist. Meanwhile, Japanese act &TEAM became million sellers in both Japan and Korea, kicking off what’s sure to be a mega-successful run for them. New group aoen is set to follow in their footsteps, debuting this year.
Apart from the musical side of things, HYBE’s idols just seem to be everywhere. Variety, advertisements, MC positions… You can’t turn your head in any direction without seeing at least one of them. Detractors will likely point to the agency’s vast resources giving them the ability to buy most of these positions, and that’s probably true. However, I’ve found the idols themselves to be some of the most engaging personalities of this K-pop generation and I’m certainly not tired of seeing them.
The Bad
While I’ve loved plenty of songs from HYBE this year, they are the agency most responsible for the “short running length” trend in K-pop. I’ve become so tired of fantastic music neutered of its potential because it’s not given the space needed to fully develop. I’ve personally had to cobble together “extended versions” of some of my favorite HYBE songs this year just to make them more satisfying. I should not need to be doing the producers’ work for them. HYBE is releasing good music and I need them to have confidence in that and let their songs breathe. Two minutes is just not enough.
Some of the musically weaker acts this year were especially vulnerable to this trend. I don’t think Big Hit knows what to do with TXT’s music. Their discography has seen a precipitous drop in quality over the past few years, and unfortunately that extended to member Yeonjun’s solo debut this month. Similarly, CORTIS’s meme-friendly sound has not been for me. I understand that many love it and it connects with a certain demographic, but I’m disheartened by the fact that they’re the first of the agency’s groups I can’t really get behind – at least so far.
With members of Seventeen heading into the military, that’s a big loss for HYBE’s roster. Fortunately, BTS are set to make their return next year so that will likely mitigate things. However, the agency has been in a weird spot for most of this year, absent some of their heaviest hitters.
Then, of course, there’s the missed potential of NewJeans. I’ve given up on following the travails of their court cases. For now, it seems that they’re out of the picture and no other HYBE group has yet to fully recapture that buzzy international appeal.
Finally, the jury’s out on HYBE’s first push into the Latin market with upcoming boy group Santos Bravos. It’s hard for me to judge the buzz around these guys since it’s a market I don’t follow closely, but my guess is it’s going to be a slow burn success like Katseye – at least if HYBE is lucky.
2025 Grade: B+
What I’d like to see in 2026:
- Longer and more developed songs! Please, I beg you!!
- Many comebacks from my favorite HYBE artists (TWS, &TEAM, BND). We need full albums!
- More global touring
- More full-agency content (Game Caterers, HYBE family tour, etc)
- A musically successful return for BTS that recaptures the spark I first fell in love with
- A musical reason for me to show interest in new group CORTIS
Previous years: 2024 // 2023 // 2022 // 2021 // 2020 // 2019 // 2018 // 2017
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I was ready for YG’s grading, so I’m surprised you changed the order this year!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, it’s fun to switch it up sometimes.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I gotta be honest, there are many times when I just can’t tell any of their younger boy groups apart. Possibly TWS when they sound like GFriend.
LikeLike
I think Cortis was a huuuge money-maker for hybe this year, it’s kind of insane how popular they are already. I think their “raw” and “authentic” concept is really appealing to their target audience, but my issue is that they are pushing that raw and authentic branding so much that it feels manufactured 😂 they need to show authenticity in their music rather than only talk about how authentic they are. The members are super talented so I hope we can see their potential put into reality through good music next year
I’m also worried we will soon see a sub-2 minute single from hybe 😬 Outside by Enhypen was like 2:01 I think. These days I’m relieved when a title track is 2:30 instead of 2:10, which is kind sad
Last note, the hype over BTS returning is going to be insane. They introduced me to kpop so I have a huge emotional connection to them and I can’t wait to see them perform new music
LikeLiked by 3 people
Trying so hard to look “raw” and “authentic” is what irks me the most about CORTIS even at times when I like their music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
NewJeans is the only group that has ever done that successfully. Their international appeal and the undying love for their short yet beautiful discography proves that.
LikeLike
I can go on about this for at least an hour but I wont for the sake of not wasting my time. What I will say is, ever since Freefall, they have genuinely lost the plot as to what to do next with their music/concept. now that their 7 year lore has come to an end, I am genuinely expecting something copletely outside of the box for TXT and I better not see a reheated Deja Vu again.
Sugar Rush Ride, although controversial, was a MAJOR hit and I need them to do more unique things like this again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
came to the realization that ever since hitman bang started getting involved in the production of txt’s songs (deja vu and beyond), they have become more and more boring fml.
LikeLike
What was controversial about Sugar Rush Ride? Is it the fact that some absolutely loved it while some totally hated it?
LikeLike
yep, I guess a better word for it is “divisive”
LikeLike
I don’t know how to express my frustration with BigHit. They’ve been messing up TXT for like a year and a half now. And what was that thing they did to Yeonjun? I honestly don’t know what to say. The company is rushing everything — and now there’s already a part two for No Labels? This soon? Like, man, let that boy breathe so he can actually deliver!
Tour after tour, comeback after comeback — of course we’re not going to get what we used to! I just need them to stop. I have a bad feeling about Cortis’s music spreading into other groups, because I kinda noticed it with Yeonjun… I don’t even know how to explain it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah HYBE, the house of excessive autotune tune and 2 minute songs! If it weren’t for those things, I would give them an A. As it is, they get a big fat 79.4 (C+)
TxT is fine, they just need to go back to 3+ minute songs. Enhypen is fine, they just need longer songs and less auto tune. BND, LeSeraffim and TWS are fun. I don’t care too much about Katseye, Illit or Santos Bravos.
Ah NewJeans…what a waste, but here is the thing…I cannot hold HYBE accountable for that. They actually have managed the whole fiasco in an impressive manner (this coming from a lawyer).
BTS…I’m not gonna lie. I’m curbing my enthusiasm.
LikeLike
I forgot to mention &Team who I adore and their output has been amazing in my opinion (except the last album…I did not enjoy that). Another reason for the C.
Cortis and Aoen are too new and I’m indifferent to them right now.
LikeLike
I saw Enhypen live a few years ago and, unless they have improved which is very much possible as they were young, I don’t think they can do less autotune.
I am a BTS fan but I am ready for the backlash. No one can live up to the hype created around their comeback: for any song, there’s people who like it, people who don’t, and people who are just ok with it, so the mood will always be weird when such high expectations are built around an artist. People were already split almost down the middle before they left between those who liked the poppier sound and those who wanted a return to their more hip-hop influences. It is impossible for them to deliver in one title track everything everyone wants. The discourse will be exhausting.
LikeLike
I’ve seen Enhypen in concert a few times…they seem fine. I mean, It’s a packaged deal that includes cool songs, ok vocals, good performances, the members’ charms, and a “big 4” production value.
About BTS, I agree. Expectations are high and I think it will be very difficult for them to come up with something mind blowing. That’s exactly why I’m curbing my enthusiasm…I hope they prove me wrong.
LikeLike
Im sorry you being the lawyer doesn’t make the Hybe uncountable their not much the Victim either Their a million-dollar company so what do you expect for them not to win Im not taking any side but But i aint never siding with that conpany at the same time
LikeLike
Me being a lawyer understands how well they have managed the saga. That’s all I said. Period. I don’t even understand what your point is, except your need to express you’ll never side with them, and that’s fine, but what does that has to do with my comment? 🤷🏻♀️
LikeLike
If you define “well” as: manipulating public opinion, tarnishing the girls’ reputation, destroying the NewJeans brand, SUING their own fans left and right while other hateful accounts are still free, control of the media to paint HYBE as innocent… then yes I agree with you. If you can’t tell, this was a joke, please don’t sue me Ms Lawyer.
LikeLike
“impressive manner”? Lmfao. It’s been a mess since they began that stupid audit and public execution of MHJ, and then the NewJeans girls when they defended her. And now it’s just been confirmed that their reasoning for the audits were baseless in the first place. The supposed “coup” they were scared of? Yeah, all false. They saw the word “exit” and thought that was enough to accuse her, but we just learned recently that the September 11 court hearing proved that the context of those messages was in reference to a contractual agreement that HYBE also acknowledged. “Impressive manner”, huh, it must be opposite day.
LikeLike
Hi Nick! Thanks for rating the different agencies since it brings a lot of fresh perspectives and makes the blog feel more detailed and informative HAHA (I’ve never seen anyone rate companies before)! One thing I definitely agree with is needing more complete and longer songs because they’re severely lacking in this field and it’s clearly showing! Also, TXT’s music quality have plummeted over the years and I am hoping to see BTS come back stronger than ever 💪.
Oh, and before I forget, are you planning to open up a Q&A/discussion session soon? I feel that it must be really tiring to be very consistent with your output and that it’s hard to be motivated when writing about underwhelming releases… keep it up! You’re doing great 😊.
LikeLike
i really miss those open discussion posts, ik their slot got taken over by the this week in kpop and jpop roundup features, but they were still fun and brought some fresh air in the blog
LikeLiked by 2 people
ofc as the army here, i enjoyed the bts solos that came out and thought jin’s echo was one of my favorite releases this year (it really should’ve gotten a buried treasure lol), and admittedly i streamed the fuck out of them to get their numbers up on the charts
im praying their comeback next year is a total reinvention of their sound and style that continues to show what made them so appealing to army and the general public, they said it was not gonna be a chapter 3 but a bts 2.0 so i definitely have my expectations up
LikeLike
Shorter song length isn’t just in K-pop, Fantano discussed it here in reference to Summer Walker.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9AnfUJ-E_Xo
You said everything I have to about it, but I will add that you know it’s bad when it’s not only a pop as a genre thing but a general mainstream thing now.
LikeLike
They managed to waste their most promising group for petty financial reasons and/or the ego of a petty man. HYBE if I get my hands on you… Literally all they needed to do to continue getting massive returns from NewJeans was to leave them alone and let them cook.
Otherwise I’ve long felt that the most sonically diverse music has been coming out of the periphery of HYBE, i.e. ADOR / KOZ / Pledis. The stuff that hitman bang is involved… if you were to play me some TXT / Enhypen / &TEAM title tracks that I wasn’t already familiar with, I don’t know that I’d be able to say who is who. The music is good don’t get me wrong, I just don’t think that any of them carves out a unique enough niche. And while the girl side of things has generally been more varied, with Spaghetti I feel that we’re starting to witness the Katseye-fication of LSF.
LikeLike
They offered to keep MHJ as the only creative director (removed from the CEO position) and MHJ said no, and the girls refused to work without her. So they did actually try to let them cook with MHJ.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well previously she had been responsible for both creative and business decisions, which in interviews she’d been adamant was important for taking on ambitious projects on a modest budget. She could have stayed yes but she’d have to clear everything with the pencil-pushers who were now on top, so the dynamic would inevitably be very different.
And I guess your definition of “they tried to let them cook” is, they turned the agency upside-down, unilaterally terminated the CEO’s contract, and then expected it her to stay at a diminished role? Please.
LikeLike
EXACTLY THIS. I can’t believe people are defending this garbage company, when their manipulation of such young artists is the worst I’ve ever seen in music (Kpop as a whole is already terrible but this one just hits so hard)
LikeLike
That offer was bs and you know it. Toxic clauses, strict control of her actions, termination at any time. WHO WOULD ACCEPT THAT? LOL. If you’re even keeping up: the police said there was no evidence for her supposed “coup”, they conducted an unnecessary audit on her to destroy her image publicly, and just now learned that the messages HYBE was referring to NEVER actually meant she wanted to leave. MHJ’s crashout was 100% valid. She knew she was innocent from the jump and you expect her to just chain herself to that evil company once more? What a joke. Mind you, the girls refused to work without her AND the rest of the original ADOR staff, which HYBE constantly harassed, isolated, and even SUED. How could you not see that not only was the director position a scam, but what team would MHJ exactly direct when it was already non-existent? I encourage you to read past the headlines, there’s a lot more story if you just had the energy to READ.
LikeLike
Nick, your impulse-slash-switch up may have been good timing (ish). At the very least, Hyein & Haerin is reported to get back to ADOR, period and confirmed by both sides. Minji, Hanni, Danielle, on the other hand, claims they’re doing the same, but it’s unconfirmed yet.
LikeLike
I mean, you know HYBE executives read this blog, right??
(haha that would be insane)
LikeLike
What we know right now is that Hyein and Haerin only agreed to return as the parents were most likely threatened financially and legally. 4 of the members met with ADOR but only announced 2? How come? The original ador plan was to only take back Hyein and Haerin then blame MHJ during the stock option hearing for their separation and manipulation. They even released a Haerin only video on their channel the second they announced this, meaning they had this ready to go from the jump. Now that the 3 publicly stated they would also return (since ADOR wouldn’t return their calls), this ruined ADOR’s strategy and they are probably losing their sh*t. They never expected them to return, why else are they taking THIS long to announce it? They knew they had to break their unified image, but now that that isn’t working, what now? The court said to uphold the contract and ADOR must do the same.
LikeLike
I’ve loathed and despised Hybe since their NewJeans fiasco. Today I’m reading NewJeans are coming back. But since Hybe fired Min Hee-jin, the genius behind their sound, I’m doubtful it’ll be the same. We’ll see. But Hybe is dead to me.
LikeLike
?? 250 was the “genius” behind their sound.
MHJ was their link to 250, but let’s not pretend she is a competent producer in any way.
LikeLike
I know she’s not the producer, but she clearly had a vision. That’s why they brought her on board and paid her the big money. And clearly it worked. That’s really undeniable, isn’t it?
LikeLike
She put forward the y2k concept and house sound, which is what she’s been doing her entire career.
Incidentally the y2k fashion trend had returned a few years prior, and underground/critic star 250 produced the songs. Just as airy elevator music was coming back in the western sphere as well. Timing was her biggest strength.
Also amazed at how you reached the conclusion that MHJ’s attempted takeover is HYBE’s fault btw. That’s quite a spin.
LikeLike
(Do you work for Hybe? Haha.) 250 was certainly instrumental in their first EP, but Erika de Casier was largely responsible for their 2nd. Then there’s Ditto/OMG, which 250 seemed to have no involvement in(?). The conceptual artist behind all this seems to have been MJH. And she was already huge before she came over to Hybe. *AND* more importantly, the sound she created with NewJeans was not something she’d been involved with before.
MJH tried to take over Hybe? You should look up, I don’t know, maybe “Stockholm Syndrome” or something.
LikeLike
250 also produced Ditto, ETA, How Sweet, and more. He’s undoubtedly responsible for their biggest hits.
The NewJeans sound is very similar to 4 walls and View, both of which MHJ was involved in.
MHJ attempted to take control over ADOR. HYBE is not responsible for her megalomania or whatever it is.
LikeLike
I don’t think NewJeans’ songs sound anything like 4 Walls or View. (And I know Nick loves SHINee and f(x), but wasn’t all that fond of NewJeans.) And NewJeans don’t do “house,” or at least they haven’t yet. Ditto and Super Shy are kind of drum & bass, while other tunes have been described as Baltimore and Jersey club, as well as r&b.
I’m sure 250 is a talented producer; he gets the sounds MJH & the band are looking for. But is he the principle songwriter? I don’t think so. Erika de Casier was the main songwriter for the Get Up EP, and you can listen to her albums and easily hear how much those songs are hers, while the sings take her music in exciting directions. On the other hand, when I listen to 250’s albums, I don’t hear any NewJeans in them at all. Maybe you can point to a 250 song that sounds like it could have been on one of NewJeans’ albums? Because I couldn’t find any.
Regarding NewJeans’ 4 songs that came out during the fiasco (How Sweet and Supernatural singles), I thought were really weak songs and not up to their usual level. I think the quality of music was severely impacted by Hybe’s shenanigans. I could be wrong, but those songs didn’t feel as substantial as everything previous to that.
LikeLike
If you don’t hear NJ in 4walls and View then that’s fine. You’re fucking deaf, but that’s whatever.
250 doesn’t make music that sounds like the work he did for NJ, but he is still the man behind NewJeans’ most popular songs and their sound.
MHJ attempted a takeover through a third party. That’s the entire impetus for the HYBE audit.
LikeLike
You’re all over the map here. First you say MJH has nothing to do with NewJeans’ sound, that it’s all 250; but then you also maintain that MJH is responsible for View and 4 Walls, and that her sound can be heard clearly in NewJeans. So which is it? She’s the genius behind their sound, or 250 is?
LikeLike
Both? 250 is the one how made NJ’s ound, but MHJ clearly has a preference for that sound and that styling.
She was the creative director for View/Odd, but she didnt’ produce the music and KEY made the calls for cashon outfits. But he made the call within her framework.
Not that advanced a concept…
LikeLike
They just released information today that the entire “control” narrative is false. Their “evidence” was a text message saying “exit”, which ended up referring to a contractual agreement that even HYBE acknowledged. Police investigation wound up with nothing. An injunction was accepted to prevent the shareholder meeting from happening. Like, what more do you want from this investigation just to prove her “take over” when that was never ever the case lol.
LikeLike
I wonder…what exactly people that blames HYBE for the NewJeans fiasco mean?
Honest question; If you were in HYBE’s position, how would you have handled this situation?
I need someone to explain this to me (in a way that makes sense)! I’m genuinely asking…anyone?!?!
LikeLike
If I were in Hybe’s position, I’d have continued to give NewJeans and MHJ complete autonomy, stayed the **** out of their way, because clearly what they were doing was magic. And when everything went south (for whatever reason), I’d have cut them loose and allowed them to continue their artistic vision.
I’m one of those weirds that doesn’t worry about hurting the feelings of our oligarchs. **** Elon Mush. **** Hybe.
LikeLike
(weirdos) LOL
LikeLike
America has a long history of giant corporations stifling the creativity of its greatest musical artists. It’s sad to see Korea continuing this trend – but in an even worse way, considering the money and power now at stake.
LikeLike
But wait, if you were the “oligarchs” and invested all that money in NJ…when things went South for whatever reason, would you really let them go that easily? I get that you don’t like the system, but as it is right now, if you were HYBE, would you really let them go somewhere else with all that magic they created with your money?
I understand all the fuss about Big Corp in America and the world, but I don’t understand why people expect a different outcome from this Big Corp towards its investment. To me, this outcome was obvious from the very beginning (unless Korean laws were different, but the recent court ruling seems to be on par with general contract laws)…that’s why I’m so curious about why people blames HYBE from protecting their investment🤷🏻♀️
LikeLike
I have to admit, it does keep me up at night. I worry about our oligarchs. I hope they’re eating well. Do they know drugs are bad? And I hope they’re getting their daily uptake of vegetables and fruit. We must all pray for our oligarchs. And also pray to them. They may be our gods. I do so worry about them.
LikeLike
Bummer, I thought I could actually, maybe get a decent answer in this space, but I guess I was wrong. I don’t appreciate the sarcasm, but I do appreciate the effort. Some questions are hard to answer, I get that. 🤷🏻♀️!
LikeLike
Okay, fair enough. So Hybe invested in NewJeans’, and as you said, they got a great return on their investment. Isn’t that their reward? Who did the work? It was NewJeans and Min Hee-jin’s creative labor and hard work, and Hybe profited off the back of their labor. NJ & MHJ then felt unappreciated and disrespected, and attempted to take their labor elsewhere. In a capitalist society, or perhaps rather a more equitable socialist society, people who do the actual work would have more autonomy and control over their own labor. The answer to this, since megacorporations owned by chaebols are literally driving artists to suicide, is probably unionization, so that singers, musicians and artists have more control over their art, more freedom from exploitation.
LikeLike
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I were in HYBE’s position I would have handled the dispute between ADOR and Belift internally and quietly. If I felt the need for an audit of ADOR, I would also have handled that internally and quietly. What I would not have done is throw everything in the open for media play and attempt character assassination of the agency’s CEO just as the girls were gearing for a long-anticipated comeback. Simple right?
LikeLike
Insane framing.
MHJ was attempting to have a third party buy up ADOR’s shares and take control of the sub-label.
Obviously illegal and against her contract with HYBE.
This information is available to anyone. Try google over these mad MHJ stans, lmao.
LikeLike
Ah yes, my framing is insane but the framing that the person with 18% of the shares would somehow take control against the wishes of the corporation controlling 80% of the shares is totally sane and plausible.
Look, the person above said they were genuinely asking so I gave them what I consider to be a genuine answer. But this, what is it supposed to achieve? Have a nice day.
LikeLike
There is no doubt that MHJ colluded with a third party to secretely buy out the majority share of ADOR.
That is a matter of public record.
LikeLike
Here’s the public record, after having just done a search: “Min Hee-jin was cleared of all criminal charges related to the allegations that she colluded with a third party to secretly buy out the majority share of ADOR. The police investigation concluded in July 2025 that there was no evidence of illegal acts or a breach of trust on her part, and the case was closed without being forwarded to prosecutors”
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can literally read the mails and kakaotalk messages where she plans it.
The police chose to not go forward with the prosecution because planning to commit criminal actions is not the same as committing them. HYBE shot their shot too early.
But the notion that this was a character assassination attempt by HYBE is laughable.
LikeLike
Respectfully, nothing about this is simple. I’ve been following the case from the very beginning because from a legal standpoint it is super interesting, but not simple at all.
HYBE launched an internal audit quietly, no one knew anything about that, but MHJ launched a press conference making it public. That’s how we all found out about this mess.
How is that HYBE’s fault?
That’s what I need to understand, and I’m afraid I never will.
LikeLike
What are you talking about? The dates are literally available online don’t play stupid lol. They made the audit public 3 days before MHJ’s conference that took place on April 25.
“On April 22, industry representatives reported that HYBE initiated an audit of the ADOR management after detecting attempts by ADOR to become independent. HYBE reportedly called for a shareholders’ meeting to hold the ADOR management accountable and to also appoint an additional ADOR director from HYBE as both of ADOR’s current directors came to the company with Min Hee Jin from SM Entertainment. It was additionally reported that HYBE sent a document calling for Min Hee Jin’s resignation as ADOR’s CEO.
In response to the reports, HYBE briefly commented, “It is true that an audit was initiated.”
You’re right, you will never understand this situation. And I will never understand how your school even gave you a license to practice as a lawyer. I am praying for your non-existent clients.
LikeLike
Hey ms lawyer.
If I was in HYBE’s position, I would have realized that the audit on MHJ was total and utter garbage. We’re only finding out now (coincidentally after the Newjeans appeal deadline) that any and all of HYBE’s evidence was either baseless or nonexistent. The police investigation proves this. Even the texts that HYBE provided themselves proves this as well. Why do you think they worked SO hard to oust her from her position when the first injunction against them was accepted in court?
LikeLike
I just want to say, in response to all of you’s, no one came off smelling like roses. Hybe did what it did because the business of acquiring businesses can be messy and ugly. The girls and their parents thought they had a case which they never did. MHJ went on too many very public rants to ever get back to what was once.
LikeLike
Some definitely came off worse than others, though. Hybe looked like Goliath trying to crush the spirits of 14 year old girls (or however old they are), as well as their inarticulate creative artist (who seems on the spectrum to me, like many artists often are). And the CEO came off worse of all. Wasn’t he fired soon after? And isn’t he facing many serious legal issues, relating to tax fraud, corruption, insider trading, tax violations, etc.? (Then there’s that photo of him with what looked like prostitutes.) But he’s supposed to be the good guy, and MHJ was the baddie? No wonder she and all their parents wanted to get the young teenage girls away from that place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MHJ gave too many public rants? Lol. You need to give HYBE some credit here.
LikeLike
I also hope for full albums from TWS & BND next year.
LikeLike
ILLIT really has some good catchy tunes for me as well! and whole NewJeans thing goes? Yeah listened to some of their songs and heard some of the trials and that whole mess, but pretty much I figured they were gonna lose from the start and even if they are coming back like have read they are gonna be hard to say if they will even be as good as they were before the whole trial mess or not.
LikeLike
HYBE legit bastardized all of ADOR. All of their original creatives and the girls left. It’s just another HYBE sub label clone, much like BELIFT. The magic is gone. The fans are still there though, but only for the girls.
LikeLike
Ain’t now way am I supporting a company that is actively SABOTAGING young girls’ careers, HARASSING the creative team behind their genius and global success, and SUING the fans that gave them money. We’re literally witnessing this happening right now and there’s still people supporting this garbage company? Have we not learned from history? Kpop is unsalvageable. Nick, I honestly thought you’d have more of a backbone to call out the bs and actually hold HYBE accountable or at least explicitly call them out in this write-up given your wide knowledge of all these artists in Kpop. Now you have these worm for brains in the comments giving their misinformed opinions that’s entirely based on reddit threads made by incels. So disappointed.
LikeLiked by 1 person