Latest news with #HYBE
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Kim Taehyung's latest announcement sparks disappointment among BTS' global fandom a day after Jungkook backlash
Kim Taehyung, aka BTS' V, may have left his global fandom split after his latest brand collab, one many argue could've easily been skipped. The K-pop star was recently unveiled as the new face of Coke Zero in South Korea, replacing HYBE labelmates NewJeans in a campaign by Coca-Cola Korea, handled by LG Household & Health Care. While his new role was cheered by fans at home, a chunk of the global ARMY wasn't sold. Here's why. The brand is reportedly listed under the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for allegedly supporting Israel. While its ties to the country are complicated, being a non-Israeli-owned company with no connection to military funding, the brand has still drawn flak for operating in the region. Fans were quick to point out that Coca-Cola has been on the boycott radar for a while. Some even resurfaced a 2024 ad campaign from Bangladesh where the brand awkwardly tried to clear its name in the controversy. The ad was pulled after backlash, with many calling it insensitive. Still, some fans jumped in to defend the Singularity crooner, saying that the Korean branch runs independently and has no ties to the global parent company. Others shrugged off the criticism entirely, saying, 'Even if it does support, we don't care. Tae doesn't belong to Palestine or Israel—he's a citizen of South Korea. What he does is nobody's business. Don't drag politics into this. Half the world's in a silent war anyway.' That said, several idols have been called out in the past for promoting the brand, and many believe Taehyung could have avoided this one. @BTS_twt taehyung, i urge you and your members to stop promoting coca-cola, a huge brand that is actively funding the genocide of Palestinians and their children in palestine. this company is also on the BDS priority boycott list. 🔗 — maro ᰔ🔻FREE PALESTINE (@admirerOx) July 30, 2025 Also read: 'Kim Taehyung makes me feel I can't afford…': BLACKPINK's choreographer reveals how working with BTS' V changed her Every BTS member is known for making generous donations towards social causes, and V is no different. In the past, the singer has quietly made huge donations to social causes, and many believe he may have donated for kids in Gaza as well. And so, the latest move caused confusion among fans. His newest collaboration struck a nerve with those who believe idols shouldn't endorse brands that are being boycotted over human rights issues. Just a day before, Jungkook caught flak for being spotted with Starbucks, another name on the boycott list. So far, neither V nor his agency has made any public statement addressing the backlash. Also read: After Ronaldo and Messi, this BTS star becomes Instagram's most influential celebrity, beats Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, and more On the work front, BTS is gearing up for a spring comeback in 2026. All seven members, V, Jimin, Jungkook, Suga, RM, Jin, and J-Hope, reunited in June 2025 after serving 18 months in the military under South Korea's mandatory program. The septet is currently in the US working on new music.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
BTS' RM Spotted At Disneyland In LA, Skips Disguise For A Casual Look
Last Updated: Kim Nam-joon, aka RM, was spotted having fun at Disneyland with HYBE staff members. BTS is enjoying a well-deserved break after completing their military service in June. The septet is currently in the U.S., working on their upcoming album while also taking time to unwind. Recently, the members have been spotted around Los Angeles, shopping, sampling new foods, and soaking in the downtime. Among them, Kim Namjoon (RM) caught fans' attention during a casual visit to Disneyland. Eyewitnesses shared that RM was accompanied by HYBE staff and, notably, didn't attempt to hide his identity. Skipping any disguise, he strolled through the park like any other guest, much to the surprise and delight of ARMYs. According to a fan who visited the park and shared photos, RM was seen wearing a denim shirt with beige cargo pants, white sneakers and a navy cap. The South Korean star looked comfortable as he walked around the park. It seems he took a break from the busy music sessions in the studio to enjoy his free time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NeweraBTS (@newerabts07) That's not all, RM even hopped on a rollercoaster, much to the delight of fans. One lucky ARMY, who ended up on the same ride, couldn't contain their excitement. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), they wrote, 'I saw Namjoon at Disney today and got to be in the same roller coaster as him. I've been blessed today." RM's visit to Disneyland was confirmed only through fans, as the BTS star didn't post anything about it on his own social media. While he stayed quiet about the outing, RM shared a quote from writer Kim Young Ha's book One Life. Kim Young Ha was also part of RM's talk show, Dictionary of Useless Human Knowledge. He mentioned, 'Like a ferryboat without a boatman reaching the shore, life arrives somewhere. That future was the destination. It's rewriting the narrative of the past to align with the ending." Since completing their military service, BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, V, Jimin, and Jungkook have yet to share the stage together. While each has been focusing on solo projects or enjoying some personal downtime, fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated reunion of the full group. view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 08:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BTS' parent company HYBE sends confidential email to staff after raids at headquarters in Seoul
After Seoul Police conducted a search and seizure operation at the headquarters of HYBE, the company's chief legal officer, Jung Jin-soo, reportedly sent an internal email to employees. As per an Allkpop report, Jin-soo urged the staff to stay focused and calm. This comes after allegations of fraudulent trading. Bang Si-hyuk founded HYBE nearly two decades ago. HYBE has a message for its staff after police raid The mail said that HYBE will "provide a thorough explanation". 'The company is actively cooperating with the authorities to clarify the facts. We will provide a thorough explanation to demonstrate that all matters were handled in compliance with laws and regulations.' It further read, 'We are doing everything we can to prevent this situation from causing unnecessary concern among our team. Please do not be overly worried about the investigation at the Yongsan office and continue to concentrate on your individual responsibilities.' What are the allegations against HYBE, Bang Si-hyuk It all started with the issuance of a search warrant on July 17. On Thursday, the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a search and seizure operation at the headquarters of HYBE in Yongsan, Seoul. The raid followed a referral made after the Securities and Futures Commission under the Financial Services Commission filed a criminal complaint against HYBE founder and chairman, Bang Si-hyuk, accusing him of violating the Capital Markets Act by engaging in unfair trading practices. Si-hyuk is accused of misleading investors, including venture capital firms, in 2019 by falsely claiming that HYBE didn't have plans to go public. He then allegedly transferred the company shares to a special purpose company (SPC), which was created by a private equity fund formed by HYBE executives. Later, the SPC sold the shares and they reportedly shared 30% of the profit with Si-hyuk. The move was based on a prior shareholder agreement. Investigators think that Si-hyuk's personal gain from the deal is at around 120 billion KRW (approximately $86 million).
News18
6 days ago
- Business
- News18
HYBE Sends Email To Employees After Raid In Fraud Case: 'Concentrate On Your Responsibilities'
Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman of Hybe – the South Korean entertainment company which handles BTS, has been accused of indulging in fraudulent activities. A day after South Korean police raided the Seoul headquarters of HYBE, it has now been reported that BTS' parent company has sent out a confidential email to its employees. In this email, the company has asked its employees not to worry about the ongoing investigation involving alleged stock manipulation by the company's founder, Bang Si-hyuk. Instead, the teams have been asked to focus on their responsibilities. 'The company is actively cooperating with the authorities to clarify the facts," HYBE's Chief Legal Officer, Jung Jin-Soo, stated in the email. 'We will provide a thorough explanation to demonstrate that all matters were handled in compliance with laws and regulations," he added. 'We are doing everything we can to prevent this situation from causing unnecessary concern among our team. Please do not be overly worried about the investigation at the Yongsan office and continue to concentrate on your individual responsibilities," the email further read. Why Is HYBE Under The Radar? Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman of Hybe – the South Korean entertainment company which handles BTS, has been accused of indulging in fraudulent activities. As reported by allkpop, Bang has been accused of engaging in fraudulent and unfair trading under the Capital Markets Act. The financial watchdog is investigating Bang over allegations that he misled investors by denying any plans for an IPO. With this, he encouraged them to sell their HYBE shares to a private equity fund (PEF) linked to him. This was around the time when HYBE was secretly preparing to go public. Therefore, when the company eventually did file for an IPO, Bang reportedly benefited through a 30% return-sharing deal with the PEF, a transaction not disclosed during the IPO process. This means that if found guilty and the gains exceed 5 billion KRW (approximately $3.64 million), Bang could face life imprisonment or a minimum of five years in prison. What Does HYBE Say About The Alleged Fraud? Previously, HYBE reacted to the controversy and claimed that 'all transactions were carried out legally by undergoing thorough legal reviews." 'We apologise for causing concern due to news related to our IPO process. We are actively cooperating with financial authorities and the police by providing detailed explanations and submitting relevant documents regarding the matters currently under investigation," its statement read. Reportedly, the company is also running a parallel investigation, but there is no official confirmation of this as of now. For the unversed, HYBE manages some of the biggest names in K-pop, including BTS, Tomorrow X Together, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, BOYNEXTDOOR, and KATSEYE. First Published: July 26, 2025, 12:31 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Korean girl group NJZ heads to court over ADOR contract dispute: ‘We can't trust ADOR anymore..'
The contract dispute between NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and ADOR is growing messier with every court date. On July 24, the Seoul Central District Court held its third hearing in the ongoing case over the validity of the girl group's exclusive contract — and confirmed a closed-door mediation session set for August 14. With both sides sticking to their positions, the outcome of this mediation could shape the group's future. Korean girl group NJZ Timeline of the battle The legal rift began when the five-member group, via their lawyers, moved to terminate their contract with ADOR in November 2023, a move the agency is fighting to overturn. At the heart of the case is former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who remains a polarising figure in the narrative. NJZ's legal representatives argue that the dispute stems from a now-closed internal audit of Min, initiated by ADOR's parent company HYBE in May. 'This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They claimed she was trying to seize management control and 'take' NewJeans, but there was no evidence in the audit or grounds for dismissal. The main issue was an alleged breach of duty, and in the midst of it all, NewJeans suffered the most. Police later found no evidence of Min Hee Jin committing a breach of duty. The audit and dismissal attempts were based on false premises and intended to remove Min Hee Jin,' said NJZ's legal team. In court, NJZ's attorneys claimed ADOR failed in its basic responsibilities, justifying the group's decision to walk away. The legal team further said, 'Today's ADOR is not the same ADOR that led to our past success. It's now controlled by HYBE staff. The so-called generous support and dividends came when Min Hee Jin was CEO. We can't trust ADOR anymore, which is why we can't return to it in its current state.' ADOR, however, hit back, stating that the group's legal arguments have changed over time and accused them of retroactively trying to build a case. 'This is an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact,' said ADOR's legal counsel, who also emphasised the agency's financial investment in the group — over 21 billion won ($15.3 million) in total, including 7 billion won on the debut album and 2 billion won on music videos. ADOR claimed that NewJeans' rapid success was a result of the agency's strategic planning and support, arguing that the attempt to leave just two years after debut is unjustified. The agency also painted Min as the mastermind behind the group's attempted exit, citing alleged private messages between her and former executives that suggest a long-term plan to take the group with her. According to ADOR, those messages even detailed strategies such as launching plagiarism accusations against HYBE's other girl group, Illit, and pushing certain narratives in the press. ADOR alleged that the contract termination notice itself was crafted by Min's legal team. In response to claims of mismanagement, ADOR maintained that it fulfilled its obligations and revealed that each member had earned more than 5 billion won individually. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback,' ADOR's lawyer stated. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return.' The next chapter in this saga unfolds on August 14, behind closed doors. But for fans and industry watchers, the stakes couldn't be more public.
