Fans wonder why HYBE is silent after controversies over BTS V, Enhypen Jake and now NewJeans 'Cookie'

Some fans think HYBE is slacking off while others wonder if its the label's strategy to let controversies fade out

PUBLISHED AUG 24, 2022

With BTS V, Enhypen Jake, and NewJeans members being embroiled in controversies of their own, fans of the three groups wonder why the label continues to keep silent (HYBE Labels)

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Over the last few months, there have been a lot of controversies surrounding artists from HYBE labels BTS, TXT, Ehypen, Le Sserafim and now NewJeans. With BTS, the influx of dating rumors, especially surrounding V (Kim Taehyung) and YG Entertainment idol Blackpink's Jennie have caused a lot of concern among fans. From alleged photos of the two idols in Jeju Island to more new 'leaked' photos of the two together have had ARMYs seeking answers from the label. The girl group NewJeans who made their debut as recently as early August this year were already involved in controversies like the alleged pedophilia issue with the group's executive producer, Min Heejin.

Aside from that, the group received a lot of backlash due to the English translations for the lyrics of NewJeans' single 'Cookie'. Not only these two groups but Enhypen's Jake has been embroiled in rumors that allege the singer was spotted smoking and 'picking up girls' in South Korea. Moreover, TXT's Taehyun shared a concerning post with fans that alleged the boy group were being followed by Sasaengs (stalker fans) who were on the same flight as them. All these issues are concerning to fans but HYBE and their subsidiaries have not addressed any of these rumors or controversies despite fans' persistent requests for a statement.

NewJeans releases 'Cookie' track with sexual lyrics, fans ask 'aren't they minors?'

BTS, TXT, Enhypen and Le Sserafim are some of the K-pop groups under HYBE (@bts_bighit, @TXT_bighit, @ENHYPEN, @le_sserafim/Twitter)

Why is HYBE not releasing a statement?

In the past, HYBE (then, Big Hit Entertainment) had always been prompt in their response to controversies and alleged dating rumors. Even the recent baseless rumors of BTS RM (Kim Namjoon) getting married were addressed by the label despite coming days after BTS V and Blackpink Jennie's dating rumor. The recent silence from HYBE labels is concerning to fans and they are wondering what the label's strategy is when it comes to dealing with pressing controversies. With more and more backlash directed towards idols like in the case of Jake and V, fans are furious at HYBE, Big Hit Music (BTS' label) and Belift Labs (Enhypen's label) for letting the controversies blow out of proportion before addressing them.

Some fans believe that these days, HYBE lets the rumors fade out by not addressing it for a while like in the case of Enhypen Heesung's N-word issue from 2021 as well as Jake's 'allah' necklace row from months ago. HYBE recently also releasing notices about legal action against malicious commenters for their artists but fans are yet to see something coming out of the threats as the label has never released any information about legal proceedings against trolls or sasaengs that harass the idols.

HYBE's fourth-gen groups TXT and Enhypen will collaborate for a special cover dedicated to the biggest K-pop groups at KBS' song festival (HYBE) — Members of Enhypen and TXT from HYBE (HYBE Labels)

'I just want a statement'

Fans are calling out HYBE for their silence as one fan said, "Belift and hybe is a f**ked up company! come on do something about the issues. release a freaking statement already, jake's name is being dragged, and the whole group." Another fan said, "The way hybe denied rm's marriage rumours when literally no one knew about them but r dead silent rn makes a person wonder." One more fan said, "What is hybe even doing with this silent like just confirm or deny the rumor it's not that hard for them to do it." A fan said, "Last time you blamed Garam for Jennie and Taehyung scandals, now who do you want to blame?"

Another responded, "Some are saying hybe trying to cover enhypen Jake smoking scandal and new jeans cookie lyrics scandal." One more fan said, "ENHYPEN IS THE OONE AND ONLY ARTIST UNDER THIS BITCH @BELIFTLAB ITS NOT THAT HARD TO RELEASE THE FCKING STATEMENT ABOUT JAKE." One fan said, "Where are you belift??? you need to clear the statement regarding the jake and jay issues!" Another fan said, "I believe they will do nothing, and no statement at all. we will bark louder but belift and hybe will ignore us PROTECT YOUR ARTIST." One more fan said, "Hybe will neveeeerrrrrr put out a statement for him the photo is from a stylist phone . Who leaked it ? Hybe."

belift and hybe is a fucked up company! come on do something about the issues. release a freaking statement already, jake's name is being dragged, and the whole group.
— ✨ (@prettyboisunoo) August 23, 2022

the way hybe denied rm's marriage rumours when literally no one knew about them but r dead silent rn makes a person wonder
— jeen (@idwlfth) August 24, 2022

AT THIS MOMENT, I JUST WANT HYBE STATEMENT 🤣🤣🤣
— ꪶⅈꪀꪖ (@___syaf) August 23, 2022

just one statement about protecting jake and enhypen from this shit won't hurt your pride @BELIFTLAB
— erika || (@enhacutiess) August 23, 2022

YG has been using tae’s name to promote that vma performance and hybe is absolutely silent pic.twitter.com/Hupd8hg7sp
— Jendragon real (@taesmixt) August 24, 2022

what is hybe even doing with this silent😕 like just confirm or deny the rumor it's not that hard for them to do it
— ْ (@eyecanndyJJK) August 24, 2022

Should we stream cookie knowing it's lyrics are sexualizing 14 years old
— So What(🌺Pink🍇Venom🌺) (@S_o_W_hat) August 18, 2022

Some are saying hybe trying to cover enhypen Jake smoking scandal and new jeans cookie lyrics scandal
— Helda2 (@blinkandblonk2) August 23, 2022

ENHYPEN IS THE OONE AND ONLY ARTIST UNDER THIS BITCH @BELIFTLAB ITS NOT THAT HARD TO RELEASE THE FCKING STATEMENT ABOUT JAKE
— Hanna (@Hanna43192318) August 23, 2022

Maybe it will idk. Jake from enhypen once wear a necklace with the name "allah", essentially disrespecting islam. But hybe(belift lab) just doesn't release any statement and the issue dies after 2 months
— Luq🤍 | CHAEWON DAY🎊 (@chaemintchoco) May 20, 2022

where are you belift??? you need to clear the statement regarding the jake and jay issues!!@BELIFTLAB @ENHYPEN_members
— 🌟🌻 (@syhrshdn) August 23, 2022

And those are only the main ones, there’s so many other smaller sites/ not to mention reposts on facebook, insta , tiktok etc smh
— Adri ☆○o。🦊 (@sunookitchenrag) August 23, 2022

I believe they will do nothing, and no statement at all. we will bark louder but belift and hybe will ignore us

PROTECT YOUR ARTIST
— ༶•┈ 🫧 𖤐Chan.დ (@Zippiehak09) August 23, 2022

Hybe will neveeeerrrrrr put out a statement for him the photo is from a stylist phone . Who leaked it ? Hybe
— TaehyungTheChosenOne (@Taesusbodyguard) August 23, 2022

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