HYBE CEO Lee Jae-Sang Apologizes Over Leaked Company Document Critical of K-Pop Artists & More

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-Sang has shared a public apology following a partial leak of the company’s internal “Weekly Music Industry Report,” which boasted what some have called disparaging remarks about the K-pop industry, including some young artists.

The letter stemmed from a Thursday (Oct. 24) court hearing regarding the HYBE audit carried out by the South Korean National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee. The Korea Herald reported that Democratic Party representative Min Hyung-bae revealed the weekly document during the heart. Reportedly spanning around 18,000 pages, Rep. Min noted that the document contains unverified rumors and at times harsh commentary on very young artists, including minors, with alleged statements including, “They debuted at an age when they’re at their most unattractive” and “Surprisingly, none of them are pretty.”

In response to the leak, a letter by Lee that was posted on the company’s official website on Tuesday (Oct. 29) offers an apology “to the artists, industry stakeholders, and fans” who were upset the the revelations.

“This document was created as part of a process to retrospectively gather various reactions and public opinions on industry trends and issues,” wrote Lee, clarifying that it was shared only with “a limited number of leaders.” However, he acknowledged that it was “highly inappropriate” for the document to feature “provocative and explicit expressions directed at K-pop artists,” adding, “As the representative of the company, I acknowledge all the mistakes and take full responsibility.”

Lee added that HYBE is “reaching out to each agency individually to offer our apologies directly” and continued, “I am also sincerely extending an official apology to all the artists of HYBE Music Group who have been subjected to criticism due to the company.”

Lee further promised “to establish guidelines and strengthen internal controls to prevent such issues from occurring again” and added that the company has halted the creation of such documents. Near the end, he emphasized HYBE’s dedication to the well-being of all artists and its respect of the fans, committing to reforms aimed at contributing positively to the K-pop industry.

Read the full statement (with translations provided by Soompi) below:

As the CEO of HYBE, I extend my sincere apologies regarding the HYBE monitoring document.

Regarding our monitoring document that was highlighted during the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee audit on October 24, I deeply apologize to the artists, industry stakeholders, and fans.

This document was created as part of a process to retrospectively gather various reactions and public opinions on industry trends and issues. Although it was intended to be shared only with a limited number of leaders to understand market and fan sentiments, the content was highly inappropriate. The document contained provocative and explicit expressions directed at K-pop artists, included personal opinions and evaluations of the author, and was preserved in written form. As the representative of the company, I acknowledge all the mistakes and take full responsibility. I am particularly sorry and distressed about the unfounded suspicions of reverse viral marketing that are not true at all, causing misunderstandings and harm to innocent artists and individuals.

I formally and respectfully apologize to the external artists mentioned in the document who have suffered damage and distress. We are also reaching out to each agency individually to offer our apologies directly. Additionally, I am also sincerely extending an official apology to all the artists of HYBE Music Group who have been subjected to criticism due to the company.

I acknowledge the lack of awareness among the leadership who received the document and, as CEO, I have immediately halted the creation of such monitoring documents. I promise to establish guidelines and strengthen internal controls to prevent such issues from occurring again.

Once again, I apologize to the artists, industry stakeholders, fans, and everyone who loves and supports K-pop for the pain caused by this incident. As the company’s representative, I commit to thorough reflection and self-examination to rectify past mistakes and prioritize the rights of all K-pop artists and respect for fans. We will do our utmost to contribute to the healthy development of the K-pop industry.

Thank you.

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-Sang