Latest news with #BIGHIT
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Truly evil': Fired BIGHIT staff mentions BTS in explosive post exposing HYBE
It's June — the month the fandom, ARMY, has been eagerly awaiting, as it marks the discharge of the world's biggest group, BTS, from their mandatory military service in South Korea. However, this month has also seen the group's agency, HYBE, land in hot water. Now, amid the issues plaguing HYBE, a former employee has come forward to share their experience with the company. Former BIGHIT Communications Director Elly Chae Eun has publicly criticized HYBE and its chairman, Bang Si Hyuk. Fired BIGHIT staff exposes HYBE In a recent social media post, she spoke about the toxic work environment and unethical corporate practices at the company. Chae Eun, who claims she was dismissed in 2017 for not aligning with the company's preferences, described a highly demanding work culture at HYBE. She recounted experiences of late-night work communications, significant weight loss, and hair loss due to stress. In the post made on her Threads account, she wrote in Korean: "[Truly Evil]… This is the hidden story behind the process of being promoted to an executive — something even I didn't know. It was normal to receive work instructions through KakaoTalk or phone calls in the middle of the night. I used to sleep with my phone next to me at all times. I lost 7kg over two years after joining the company and even experienced symptoms of hair loss. I poured my heart into my work, taking care of the company's male idols — 'sons of others' — rather than my own precious children." She also alleged that after her departure, HYBE handed out billions (₩50–100 billion) to insiders who hadn't contributed during its early days. This ties into ongoing Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) investigations into Bang Si Hyuk's alleged IPO-related fraud and insider profits. "And yet, the company just dismissed me, saying I 'no longer suited their preferences.' Later, they went into business with acquaintances and handed them hundreds of billions of won (₩50 billion, ₩100 billion) without hesitation. These people hadn't contributed even once when the company was struggling and trying to grow." Elly Chae Eun mentions BTS However, she also mentioned BTS in her statement, clarifying that the group was not involved in any wrongdoing. Notably, BTS members were each allocated approximately 68,000 shares prior to HYBE's public listing in 2020, amounting to around $6.7 million per member. In contrast, Bang Si Hyuk reportedly earned approximately $300 million through the IPO, leading to public criticism over the stark disparity in profit distribution. "I sincerely congratulated the BTS members when they were given shares and became wealthy. They absolutely deserved everything they achieved — those seven were the beginning of HYBE itself. But the ones who later swooped in and devoured shareholders' stocks at cheap prices, who went behind people's backs… people who played golf with corporate cards, lounged in luxury rooms, drank alcohol — they are the real evil ones. Truly evil. I will fight to the end. Quietly, according to the law." As HYBE faces intensified scrutiny amid these allegations, BTS is preparing for a highly anticipated full-group comeback — their first reunion since completing military service. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
BTS' V replies to fan's countdown post: ‘You waited… now what?'; from solo concerts to FESTA and art exhibits, here's what's next for the K-pop stars
BIGHIT has confirmed plans for BTS members V, Jungkook, RM, and Jimin once they finish their military service, and fans have already kicked off a wave of welcome projects. The excitement is clearly mutual. Recently, Kim Taehyung hopped on Weverse, and when a fan reminded him, 'Only nine days left before discharge — are you ready, Taehyung?' he instantly replied with, 'Yes! What should we do now? What do you want to do?' Meanwhile, HYBE is gearing up for solo concerts, fresh tracks, and a massive fan festival, though a full group comeback and album will take some time. V, aka Kim Taehyung, enlisted in the military alongside group leader RM and joined the counter-terrorism unit (SDT), keeping a low profile on social media since. Now, just days away from his return, he reacted to a screenshot of his military countdown app showing 'Sergeant Elio D-9.' Fans asked him what the deal was with the name Elio and the photo where he's feeding grass to a sheep. Taehyung explained, 'It's my English name from when I went to an English fairy tale school,' and joked, 'Yes, I even bought grass.' Asked if he planned to meet fans like Jin and J-Hope, he said, 'Of course, I need to see ARMY as soon as possible.' Then added, 'You waited, so what do you want now? Tell me everything.' Also read: 'When BTS members got shares…': Fired BIGHIT director's explosive post reveals 'evil' HYBE let 'alcoholics' devour shareholders' stocks Here's the military timeline: RM and V will finish their service on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. They will greet fans from Chuncheon and Yeoncheon, respectively. Suga, who is serving in a social service role as an alternative to active duty, will be discharged on June 21. The mandatory military enlistment of the group started back in December 2022 with Jin, who, along with J-Hope, already completed their service last year and has resumed solo activities. After Suga and J-Hope, the oldest member of the group, Jin his first solo fan concerts called '#Runseokjin_EP.Tour'. The Epiphany crooner made his comeback with the second full-length album Echo in April 2025. The concert is an extension of his solo variety show 'Run Seokjin'. After his Seoul concerts, Jin will hit the road with 18 shows across nine cities worldwide. J-Hope is wrapping up his global world tour, where he ruled sold-out stadiums with his latest solo singles. His final encore concert, 'Hope on the Stage Final,' is set for June 13-14 in Osaka. During the concert, J-Hope will also debut a new digital single, 'Killin' It Girl (feat.. GloRilla).' 'We're preparing thoroughly so that J-Hope's signature explosive energy and immersive performance can be felt to the fullest,' BigHit said earlier. 'Given how both J-Hope and Jin have showcased more mature versions of themselves, it's likely that BTS' new music will reflect that evolution. The members' individual identities will likely stand out even more in the group's next chapter,' Grace Kao, a sociology professor and expert on K-pop from Yale, told Korea Herald. Also read: BTS' RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook to greet fans at designated locations post-discharge; BIGHIT says, 'Refrain from visiting' BTS FESTA is set for June 13-14 at Kintex, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. For those not in the know, it's the annual bash marking BTS's debut anniversary every June. This year, BTS hits 12. The festival promises to be bigger than ever, with over 20 exhibition booths and a massive 'Army Bomb' light show. While surprise appearances by the members aren't confirmed yet, fans can expect a 'Voice Zone' featuring recorded messages, a 'Trophy Zone' showcasing BTS's awards, and a 'BTS Locker' displaying personal items from the group. Apart from FESTA and solo tours, the agency is also set to debut Presence in Absence: Chapter 2, BTS Art. It will open in Seoul's Seongdong District and run until June 29, featuring works by 20 artists from 13 countries. Organisers say it's the largest independent BTS fan art exhibition ever, both in terms of international participation and the number of artists. The exhibition will focus on the individual personalities of each BTS member.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘When BTS members got shares…': Fired BIGHIT director's explosive post reveals ‘evil' HYBE let ‘alcoholics' devour shareholders' stocks
BTS' comeback as OT7 after two long years is due this week. This would mark the first time since the legendary K-pop singers enlisted in the military that their agency, HYBE, has finally seen a decent uptick in the stock market. But just when things were starting to look up, the agency's chairman and CEO, Bang Si Hyuk found himself under the FSS scanner in a suspected stock fraud case. A search and seizure were carried out days ago. And now, Elly Chae Eun, former communications director at the company, has broken her silence. In a blistering social media post, she tore into the toxic work culture at HYBE and even mentioned BTS, while making it clear the boys had no part in the mess. Also read: BTS mastermind Bang Si Hyuk may face life in prison over suspected $290 million fraud; HYBE shares plunge Elly Chae Eun was allegedly fired in 2017, claiming the company dismissed her because she 'no longer suited their preferences.' On June 7, Elly posted a statement on Threads calling out HYBE's deep-rooted greed. In a post titled, 'This is the hidden story behind the process of being promoted to an executive — something even I didn't know,' she said she was asked to leave despite sacrificing years of her life, both physically and mentally (translated via Koreaboo). Elly wrote, 'I used to sleep with my phone next to me all the time. I lost 7kg over two years after joining the company and even had symptoms of hair loss. I poured my heart into my work, taking care of the company's male idols — 'sons of others' — rather than my own precious children.' Then came the real sting. According to Elly, after she left, HYBE handed out huge sums (₩50-100 billion) to their inner circle, people who, she says, weren't even around when BIGHIT was struggling in its early days. This timeline matches the Financial Supervisory Service's allegations accusing Bang Si Hyuk of manipulating shareholders into selling their shares cheaply by denying IPO plans, only to go public later anyway. Also read: BTS' RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook to greet fans at designated locations post-discharge; BIGHIT says, 'Refrain from visiting' In 2020, each BTS member became a shareholder in HYBE, which originally started as BIGHIT with the seven-member boy band. In her post, Elly cleared BTS of any wrongdoing. She said she genuinely celebrated when BTS members received shares and grew wealthy, calling them the real foundation of the company. 'They absolutely deserved everything they achieved — those seven were the beginning of HYBE itself.' However, she claimed the real problem lies with the corporate suits who swooped in later. 'The ones who later swooped in and devoured shareholders' stocks at cheap prices, who went behind people's backs… people who played golf with corporate cards, lounged in luxury rooms, drank alcohol — they are the real evil ones.' Bang Si Hyuk is currently being accused of pulling off a shady deal that helped his close allies buy investor shares at dirt-cheap prices, right before HYBE went public in 2020. The profit was a whopping ₩400 billion (around $290 million), with Bang reportedly getting a huge cut, around 30%, through a secret deal with a private equity fund set up by someone close to him. South Korean law demands full transparency when it comes to IPO filings, and according to the officials, Bang failed to do that. Misleading investors like this could land someone in prison for life. HYBE, for their part, has denied everything.
CNA
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
BTS' Jin runs into love interest at Singapore's National Gallery in new teaser video for upcoming song
It looks like we were right: BTS member Jin did shoot a music video in Singapore. On Tuesday night (May 13), the 32-year-old dropped the official teaser trailer for his upcoming music video, Don't Say You Love Me, which features a familiar Singapore icon: The National Gallery. The teaser video comes days after the launch of a game that requires fans to input the right string of numbers to "call" Jin and unlock a picture. Some of the pictures that have been unlocked feature Singapore landmarks, such as Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Flyer, prompting speculation that Jin's upcoming mini album, Echo, would involve Singapore in some capacity. Thanks to Tuesday's teaser, we now know that parts of Don't Say You Love Me's music video were filmed in Singapore. The 37-second-long video shows Jin walking around the Padang Atrium in the National Gallery before coming face-to-face with South Korean actress Shin Se-kyung, who plays his love interest. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BTS official (@ Teaser posters for Don't Say You Love Me also show Jin and Shin in a hotel room that overlooks the Singapore Flyer and the ArtScience Museum. View this post on Instagram A post shared by jhope (@uarmyhope)
News18
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
BTS To Get Together After RM, Suga, Jimin, V, Jungkook's Military Discharge, J-Hope Says 'Looking Forward'
All able-bodied men between the age of 18 and 28 years in South Korea are required to serve in the military for about two years. Therefore, BTS announced its hiatus in June 2022. BTS member J-Hope has shared an exciting update for AMRYs across the world. Recently, the singer was speaking on Apple Music 1's The Zane Lowe Show, when he opened up about BTS' future plans. J-Hope revealed that the K-pop group will 'quickly get together" after RM, Suga, Jimin, V, Jungkook's military discharge in June this year. 'The funny thing for me is when our identities, which have taken shape in various ways, come together as BTS, I'm curious to see how it'll look like. I look forward to June, when our members will have completed their service. We will quickly get together and talk about what BTS can do in the future. I think it's going to be a massive energy," he said. J-Hope further opened up about the 'unique identities" of the BTS and added, 'I think that over time, we each refined our unique identities as each of us work on their own music, come out with their solo projects and do their own thing." For the unversed, all able-bodied men between the age of 18 and 28 years in South Korea are required to serve in the military for about two years. Therefore, BTS announced its hiatus in June 2022. While Jin and J-Hope have already been discharged, RM, Suga, Jimin, V, Jungkook's military enlistment will end later this year. Previously, BTS' agency BIGHIT issued a statement and requested ARMYs from across the world not to send gifts to K-pop singers during their military time. 'The military barracks are communal spaces shared by military personnel for training together. If a large number of letters and gifts from the fans arrive at the center all at once, it would be difficult to store them and they could be easily lost. Therefore, we kindly ask that fans refrain from sending anything by mail," the statement read. 'We ask for your continued love and support for the BTS members until they complete their service and return. Our company will also strive to provide every support they need during this time," it added. First Published:
