Is BTS’ memoir author behind Hybe’s controversial internal document?
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K-pop giant Hybe has come under fire for an internal document that contains disparaging comments about many idols.
PHOTO: AFP
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SEOUL – An internal document on K-pop industry trends from South Korean entertainment conglomerate Hybe, presented to top executives including Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk, has been fuelling intense debate since its disclosure at a parliament audit on Oct 24.
The report stunned K-pop fans and the public with its disparaging comments on many idols, including harsh critiques of young idols’ appearances, describing some as “surprisingly unattractive” or “overly reliant on cosmetic enhancements”. This has brought significant attention to the document’s author.
Contrary to media reports suggesting he is just a regular employee at Hybe, industry sources say the author is actually the esteemed South Korean pop culture critic Kang Myeong-seok, who co-authored Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record Of BTS, an official memoir of the supergroup published in July 2023. The book debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times’ Best Seller list in the non-fiction category.
Some South Korean media reports have partially identified the author, with some sources adding that he previously served as editor-in-chief of Weverse Magazine, published by Hybe’s popular global fan platform Weverse.
Kang, 47, was removed from his role on Oct 29 after the document drew nationwide criticism. He has been reassigned to the human resources team at Hybe.
He is known among music critics as one of the most prolific and well-respected columnists on K-pop idol groups. He previously worked as a journalist covering early stories of first-generation K-pop acts such as Seo Taiji And Boys and H.O.T.
Kang was among the first to anticipate the competitive dynamics between K-pop agencies JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment.
He is believed to be someone deeply trusted by Mr Bang, who discovered and signed BTS’ members, as he was entrusted with the task of interviewing all seven of them. He is also listed as a co-author alongside the supergroup on the book.
“Kang has a close relationship with Chairman Bang, and they often discuss company operations and idol production matters. Rumour has it that Kang and Mr Bang even planned (rookie girl group) Illit’s concept together,” a source told The Korea Herald on condition of anonymity.
It remains unclear whether Mr Bang directly instructed Kang to draft the document, but reports indicate the document was shared with Mr Bang and Hybe’s top executives. During the audit, Hybe’s chief operating officer Kim Tae-ho explained that the document was intended to monitor public opinion surrounding Hybe artistes and the broader K-pop industry.
Hybe’s chief executive Lee Jae-sang aplogised for the document on Oct 29, and acknowledged it was “highly inappropriate” for the document to feature “provocative and crude expressions” directed towards K-pop artistes. He said the document was created to monitor various reactions and public opinions on industry trends and issues.
But music producer Min Hee-jin, the former chief executive of Ador – a subsidiary under Hybe – suggested during a live interview with a YouTuber on Oct 29 that the document may have been intended to help executives with limited industry experience gain insight into the K-pop scene. She criticised the report, noting that it could foster misconceptions about the industry among readers.
Ms Min and Hybe have been caught in an ugly public feud since April,
