Was NewJeans debut rushed? Fans think HYBE is trying to cover up Kim Garam controversy
HYBE has been under fire from K-pop fans ever since HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) started merging with other popular labels like Source Music and Pledis Entertainment among others. Over the last few years, fans of now-disbanded groups like GFriend and NU'EST have blamed the label for dissolving popular groups in order to reduce competition. Months after GFriend's disbandment, HYBE introduced the girl group Le Sserafim whose debut was highly anticipated but was soon marred by the scandal around former member Kim Garam.
As Garam's heated bullying scandal started a practical public outrage against HYBE amongst fans of K-pop, it seemed like their new girl group, NewJeans, under HYBE's subsidiarity label ADOR (All Doors One Room) was never promoted in the same sense as their other groups. After the scandal that took over the K-pop industry, HYBE (and Source Music) was never really able to defend the idol which is why on July 19, the K-pop company announced that Kim Garam's contract with the label had been terminated soon after which the debut of NewJeans was announced, raising suspicions.
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Who are the NewJeans members? HYBE launches new girl group under their label ADOR
HYBE terminates contract with Le Sserafim's Garam, fans ask 'where are her stans now?'
Is HYBE using NewJeans to deflect from Kim Garam?
Soon after HYBE made the announcement, fans were rejoicing that they finally had some conclusion about the scandal. Just as HYBE started getting positive attention from fans, it was announced that a new girl group was going to make its debut. On July 22, HYBE announced the five new members of the girl group NewJeans and now fans are pointing out that this new girl group is HYBE's attempt at trying to cover up Garam's controversy as the label. This has fans wondering if HYBE has hastened the debut of NewJeans only to misdirect the negative attention being directed towards the label as well as the girl group Le Sserafim.
'Clearly trying to cover up Garam's departure'
Fans call out HYBE for trying to brush Garam's controversy under the rug by debuting NewJeans all of a sudden. One fan said, "Am I the only one who finds it extremely weird Hybe kicked out Garam after stating she was innocent then debuted New Jeans (the new gg) unexpectedly. I'm starting to think the company wanted some attention towards their new groups especially giving the fact New Jeans song is about looking for attention not only that but Jimin has a relationship rumor after a long a$s time this is so weird from Hybe." But a fan responded, "Newjeans supposed debut at 2021 with hanbi but it turn seraphim debuted first, the problem not ador, newjeans or seraphim lolll. soumu and garam, why did ya bring jimin on your own s**t? be serious pls tiktok teen."
One more fan joked, "Who said garam was a sacrifice so we can get newjeans and someone in hybe can finally release a good song in decades." Another fan said, "Hybe went garam OUT newjeans IN." A fan said, "All these newjeans girls look like 5 different versions of Garam. She’s back." One more fan said, "The song from the new gg, new jeans is it? It’s actually quite good! But they’re way too young to have debuted and the only reason Hybe did it was to take the attention (no pun intended) off of garam leaving. They’re going straight to h*ll." Another fan said, "After garam out from hybe then new jeans get attention. what a day." One fan said, "Hybe debuting newjeans as a “surprise” definitely happened for the express purpose of drawing attention away from garam getting booted."
One more fan said, "Hybe had new jeans debut all of a sudden to cover up booting garam that’s all I have to say." Another fan said, "New jeans are amazing but they look fishy.. like they debuted out of nowhere??? probably to cover up garam stuff lmao." A fan said, "Honestly i just can't stan newjeans in peace knowing that hybe could have released their debut before or after garam left, but they decided to release it smack in the middle of garam's departure, clearly trying to cover it up. +a lot of fan base are anti garam / ssera fans."
yes youre the only one, weirdo. newjeans supposed debut at 2021 with hanbi but it turn seraphim debuted first, the problem not ador, newjeans or seraphim lolll. soumu and garam, why did ya bring jimin on your own shit? be serious pls tiktok teen pic.twitter.com/sZFtM7uYyi
— karla :D (@styayc) July 23, 2022
who said garam was a sacrifice so we can get newjeans and someone in hybe can finally release a good song in decades pic.twitter.com/p7YBH00mDA
— ren (@nayvade) July 22, 2022
All these newjeans girls look like 5 different versions of Garam. She’s back.
— Min Heejin’s Muse (@givenchic) July 21, 2022
The song from the new gg, new jeans is it? It’s actually quite good! But they’re way too young to have debuted and the only reason Hybe did it was to take the attention (no pun intended) off of garam leaving. They’re going straight to h*ll
— ✨ (@gvlvdriel) July 21, 2022
after garam out from hybe then new jeans get attention. what a day..
— *whataniceday (@Fineday_9) July 21, 2022
hybe debuting newjeans as a “surprise” definitely happened for the express purpose of drawing attention away from garam getting booted
— haneul 🐉 (@DIORJEN0) July 22, 2022
hybe had new jeans debut all of a sudden to cover up booting garam that’s all I have to say
— engene off the rails (@jungwon_fever) July 26, 2022
new jeans are amazing but they look fishy.. like they debuted out of nowhere??? probably to cover up garam stuff lmao
— ana ☀️ (@jensoosbtch) July 23, 2022
honestly i just can't stan newjeans in peace knowing that hybe could have released their debut before or after garam left, but they decided to release it smack in the middle of garam's departure, clearly trying to cover it up. +a lot of fan base are anti garam / ssera fans.
— silly garam (@springszvn) July 24, 2022