Channel A has obtained Hybe’s internal documents that contain critical evaluations of idols from entertainment agencies such as SM, YG, and JYP. Portions of these documents were disclosed today (the 24th) during the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee audit.
The document, titled “Industry Trend Review Materials for Hybe Executives,” contains contents regarding idols from other entertainment agencies. Regarding a member of a girl group from JYP, the document states, “It appears she has undergone so much cosmetic surgery she is almost unrecognizable, and there are strong signs that she has been exposed to environments difficult to mentally defend against for prolonged periods. This especially tends to manifest in appearance and sex appeal.” Another girl group member was mentioned similarly, indicating potential signs of such exposure.
In the case of SM and YG, the document noted, “Surprisingly, no one is pretty. It seems even the trainees are not up to the infrastructure of OOOOO. When OOO debuted, everyone was shocked by their appearance, making one wonder if SM’s aesthetic sense has itself changed.” A specific SM girl group was criticized for their singing abilities, saying, “The fan logic was that ‘the company doesn’t let the talented ones perform,’ but Coachella shattered that.”
Hybe did not exclude smaller entertainment companies. A group from a small agency was mentioned with personal attacks stating, “The synergy of unattractiveness is unbearable.”
Regarding SM, the document states, “The obsession with OOO, a somewhat outdated type of fangirling with pseudo-romantic interactions, seems to be the essence of the SM fandom,” derogating the competition and their fanbase. It also references an incident where a book introduced by an idol was labeled as a ‘feminist book’ in male-dominated communities, stating that the event could be used to criticize another idol for taking the ‘feminist coin’ when the team doesn’t succeed.
When parts of these documents were revealed during the audit, Minister Yoo In-chon expressed that “the expressions are excessive.” Kim Tae-ho, the CEO of Belift Lab under Hybe (Hybe’s Chief Operating Officer), who attended as a witness, explained, “I do not remember the contents of that document. We create and review many such monitoring materials.” He further clarified, “These are not Hybe’s opinions or official judgments. We have gathered and compiled numerous online writings for monitoring purposes.”