HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul. Picture: Yonhap by way of The Korea Herald
A HYBE inner doc on Okay-pop business traits, offered to prime executives, together with its chairman Bang Si-hyuk, has been fueling intense debate since its disclosure at a Nationwide Meeting audit on Oct. 24.
The report shocked Okay-pop followers and the general public with its critiques of younger idols’ appearances, describing some as “surprisingly unattractive” or “overly reliant on beauty enhancements,” which introduced vital consideration to the doc’s writer.
Opposite to native media experiences suggesting he’s only a common worker at HYBE, business sources say the writer is definitely the esteemed native popular culture critic Kang Myeong-seok.
Some native experiences have solely partially recognized the writer, with some sources including that he beforehand served as editor-in-chief of Weverse Journal, revealed by HYBE’s international fan platform, Weverse.
HYBE’s inner report on Okay-pop business traits Picture: Courtesy of Rep. Min Hyung-bae’s workplace by way of The Korea Herald
Kang, 47, who was faraway from his function on Oct. 29 after the doc drew nationwide criticism, is understood amongst music critics as one of the crucial prolific and well-respected columnists on Okay-pop idol teams. He beforehand labored as a journalist masking early tales of legendary Okay-pop acts akin to Web optimization Taiji and Boys and H.O.T.
Article continues after this commercial
Early on, Kang even anticipated the aggressive dynamics between JYP Leisure, YG Leisure, and SM Leisure.
Article continues after this commercial
He additionally co-authored “Past the Story: 10-Yr Report of BTS,” an official BTS memoir revealed in July 2023, which debuted at No. 1 on The New York Instances’ Greatest Sellers record within the nonfiction class.
It speaks volumes about his standing inside HYBE that Kang was allowed to interview all seven BTS members and co-author their joint memoir, as such a big process would probably be entrusted solely to somebody deeply trusted by Bang.
“Kang has an in depth relationship with Chairman Bang, they usually typically focus on firm operations and idol manufacturing issues. Rumor has it that Kang and Bang even deliberate ILLIT’s idea collectively,” a supply instructed The Korea Herald, on situation of anonymity.
HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk. Picture: Courtesy of HYBE
It stays unclear whether or not Bang instantly instructed Kang to draft the doc, however experiences point out the doc was shared with Bang and HYBE’s prime executives. Through the audit, its chief working officer Kim Tae-ho defined that the doc was meant to watch public opinion surrounding Hybe artists and the broader Okay-pop business.
Nevertheless, former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin urged throughout a dwell interview with a YouTuber on Tuesday that the doc might have been meant to assist executives with restricted business expertise achieve perception into the Okay-pop scene. She criticized the report, noting that it may foster misconceptions in regards to the business amongst readers.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
Kang has been reassigned to the human assets staff at HYBE.
