The article discusses the recent controversies surrounding HYBE, Korea’s leading entertainment company. The company’s stock price has seen a significant decrease, and shareholders are expressing frustration over recent incidents. BTS member Suga was caught driving under the influence while serving his alternative military duty, and HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk was seen in photos with an adult content broadcaster, causing backlash.
HYBE faced criticism for downplaying Suga’s DUI incident in their apology statement. The company referred to Suga’s vehicle as an “electric kickboard” instead of an “electric scooter,” despite the legal consequences being the same. Suga’s high blood alcohol concentration further worsened the situation, leading to a divided response from BTS’ fandom, ARMY.
In addition to the DUI incident, Bang Si-hyuk’s photos with the adult content broadcaster sparked controversy. Despite HYBE’s efforts to have the photos removed from online communities, they continued to spread, leading to criticism of the company’s crisis management approach. Industry insiders noted that HYBE seems more focused on protecting their artists and executives rather than prioritizing their relationship with fans.
Overall, the article highlights the challenges faced by HYBE in managing their public image and addressing controversies involving their artists and executives. The incidents have raised questions about crisis management within the company and how they interact with their fandom.
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