In recent weeks, HYBE has been embroiled in an ongoing legal dispute with its subsidiary Ador’s CEO Min Hee Jin. Neither side has been willing to back down, however the feud has negatively impacted HYBE’s leading K-pop groups like BTS and NewJeans through allegations spread across Korean media. Fans have pleaded for their idols to be kept out of the conflict.
On Sunday, HYBE issued a statement refuting allegations that suggested its groups, including BTS, were associated with the religious group Dahn World. The company stated “The suspicions being raised are completely unfounded.” HYBE vowed to take strong legal action against any violations of artist rights, describing rumors as “crossing the line.”
Previous reports had emerged claiming links between GFRIEND, LE SERAFIM, and BTS to Dahn World. Founded by Lee Seung Heon, Dahn World believes humankind and god are one, worshipping the goddess Mago. GFRIEND’s final single before disbanding was titled “Mago,” leading some fans to connect the two.
Additional allegations noted most BTS members studied at Global Cyber University, founded by the same person who started Dahn’s World. The situation grew more difficult with accusations that HYBE founder Bang Shi Hyuk stole concepts from other artists.
Commenting on separate claims of chart manipulation, HYBE had earlier pledged to legally pursue the matter, stating “We are collecting evidence of malicious postings through real-time monitoring as we speak. We will maintain a zero-tolerance policy and pursue this matter rigorously, without leniency or settlements.”
