HYBE is facing accusations of orchestrating attacks against journalist Jang Hyung Woo, who alleged the company uses unethical media practices. Reporter Jang, formerly with Seoul Shinmun, recently appeared on a radio broadcast where he claimed that HYBE engaged in media control, including manipulating the public perception of ADOR girl group, NewJeans.
Jang alleged that HYBE’s public relations team attempted to downplay NewJeans’ achievements and exert control over news coverage. He shared a recorded conversation with HYBE’s PR team, where they reportedly sought corrections to a false report about NewJeans’ album sales in Japan. Jang also claimed that company figures were involved in “gaslighting” the group in an effort to control their public image.
Following Jang’s revelations, various rumors about his credibility started circulating within the journalist community. Some allege that Jang had a personal relationship with Min Hee Jin and used his position to manipulate media coverage in her favor, an accusation that both parties deny.
Within and outside of Seoul Shinmun, it is well known that reporter Jang has been flaunting his personal connection with Min Hee Jin in private settings. There are also rumors that it was Jang’s involvement that led NewJeans to visit the event hosted by Seoul Shinmun.
— Harmful rumors that HYBE is spreading, according to Team Bunnies
Fans of NewJeans now claim the company has mobilized online communities and forums to spread these rumors in an attempt to discredit Jang and shift attention away from the core issues raised in his report.
Hi, I can confirm everything except Jang transitioning to Kakao Mobility. I don’t think that’s in the OG tweet.
I’d probably include this somewhere from Team Bunnies:
[Jang] has no connections with former CEO Min Hee Jin and has never met her. He is not a fan of any specific artist. He only reported HYBE’s misconduct to uphold his journalistic ethics. Reporter Jang Hyung Woo is recognized within the Seoul Newspaper’s Industry Department, and he is so competent that management, including the desk, discouraged him from leaving the company. He had already been in the process of changing jobs before this revelation, and he decided to go public after watching the NewJeans members’ live stream. Moreover, he and HYBE’s Head of PR, Cho Sung Hoon, have been in the same coverage area at one point (during his time in the Economic Department, covering over 100 companies in the Ministry of Economy and Finance), but they had never really interacted or even shared a meal together.
— Team Bunnies
Such tactics have raised concerns of organized efforts to undermine whistleblowers and avoid accountability.
HYBE and communities that support HYBE are conducting internal and external attacks on reporter Jang Hyung Woo through various channels. We suspect there may be organized efforts behind these actions. They are creating baseless rumors and spreading false information about the reporter to distort the essence of his tip-off. However, it is impossible for such low-level media tactics to cover up HYBE’s misconduct.
— Team Bunnies
NewJeans fans identified as “Team Bunnies” have stated that they are committed to protecting him against these attacks. They condemned the spread of false rumors and called on HYBE to address the allegations rather than targeting those who bring them to light.
안녕하세요, 팀 버니즈 입니다.
오늘 김현정의 뉴스쇼 라디오 방송에서 ‘하이브의 언론통제’에 대한 장형우 기자님의 폭로가 있었습니다.방송 이후, 다른 기자들님께 장형우 기자에 대한 믿기 어려운 루머가 확산되고 있다는 제보를 받았습니다.
장형우 기자님은 저희에게 하이브의 부정행위를… pic.twitter.com/PxA1mOQ3zX
— 팀 버니즈 (@NewJeansSTRM) September 25, 2024
lee jinho the fucking cyber wrecker is making a livestream making rumors about reporter jang hyung woo LOL his hybe connection is so obvious that he himself would end up getting exposed
— ☔ (@breadsaz) September 25, 2024
The controversy has sparked debate about corporate influence over the media and the lengths some companies may go to control their public image.
