GOT7 fans continue protest against mistreatment as label JYPE stays silent, #JYPE_StopIgnoringAhgases trends
GOT7's fandom, Ahgase, continue their campaign against the group's label, JYP Entertainment, demanding better treatment for the group after years of complaints from both the group's members as well as their fans that indicate JYPE has been treating the group unfairly. These complaints range from the management's excessive control over the group's artistry and musical direction to them not adequately promoting the group, both within Asia as well as in the United States.
In addition to the issues already raised, fans have also highlighted what appears to be censorship on the members' content, with any video that features them speaking about the fan campaign being seemingly removed from their social media accounts.
Not to mention, fans also raised alarm over the company's choice to ignore the hate the group was receiving, which ranged from malicious comments online to stalker fans or "sasaeng" constantly harassing them, both virtually and in person. Several hashtags have trended worldwide over the last few years as fans have continued to relentlessly campaign for better treatment of the GOT7 members, but recent months have seen the campaign kick into overdrive.
Multiple Ahgases have already tweeted under the hashtag #GOT7DeservesBetter, tweets that the group members themselves have liked, and the fandom has now begun tweeting #JYPE_StopIgnoringAhgases after the company has continued to remain silent in addition to silencing its artistes as well. But despite the protest having gone on for so long, not only has JYPE ignored it, so has local media. Until now, that is.
One fan tweeted, "DAY 9 At Yeouido @KBSWorldTV building - are you ready for this, Ahgase? Our Korean admin tells us that: - a reporter saw the truck - he asked who sent it — HE. TOOK. PICTURES," adding, "AHGASE FIGHTING." Another fan shared, "At @KBSWorldTV building a reporter saw the truck-he asked who sent it and also took pictures so please trend hashtag higher and tag them explaining about the MISTREATMENT ONLY about MISTREATMENT." This is monumental for Ahgases, who haven't received much response for their fight, and if local outlets choose to report on their efforts, it might force JYPE to release an official statement and perhaps even shift how they work with their artistes.
In response to the reporters finally taking note, one fan stated, "Please highlight JYPE's mistreatment to their 7 years senior idols," referring to the group having debuted in 2013 and still being forced to fight for greater control over their sound. One fan tweeted, "Act like big 3 please, act like a leader in entertainment as you already claimed it," referring to JYPE's status as one of the "Big Three" entertainment agencies in South Korea alongside SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment.
In response, another fan stated, "I think you misread their slogan. They're the leader in mistreating their boy groups." Sadly, despite JYPE producing some quality music and being at the forefront when it comes to debuting extremely talented artistes, their more recent work has all been overshadowed by their apparent lack of care when it comes to their artistes. And despite there being a truck outside their building drawing attention to their perceived shortcomings, they continue to remain largely silent.