Hybe, a major entertainment company, is currently in chaos after some internal issues with Adore’s CEO Min Hee-jin and now rumors linking them to a cult.
Everyone online and on social media is talking about it. From theories about Hybe’s ties with Dahn World to discussions involving BTS, the online community is deeply divided.
This all started when Min Hee-jin, at a press conference on the 25th, claimed that Hybe execs had threatened her over the content of NewJeans' ‘OMG’ music video.
While Min didn’t spell out why she was threatened, netizens have been digging into the video, suggesting it subtly criticizes Dahn World. With frequent appearances of symbols like a teddy bear and scenes at Sindorim station, many believe the video shows NewJeans members trying to escape the cult.
Right now, YouTube’s official video post for ‘OMG’ is buzzing with comments about all this.
There’s also talk about why NewJeans is using Phoning, a different fan platform instead of Weverse, which is Hybe’s main fan platform. Some are saying it’s because the name Weverse is somehow linked to Dahn World.
Moreover, there are persistent rumors linking BTS to Dahn World. Attention is drawn to the fact that all members of BTS, except Jin, graduated from the Global Cyber University, which is known to be operated by Dahn World. The founder of this university, Lee Seung-heon, is also known as the founder of Dahn World.
Some of BTS's song lyrics are also said to be connected to Dahn World, fueling these claims.
This university isn’t just linked to most BTS members but is also a popular choice among many celebrities who graduated from its Broadcasting and Entertainment Department, hence ongoing debates about it.
Additionally, there have been sightings of Dahn World-related videos being played during practice sessions of Hybe artists, and claims about Hybe executives and other singers having ties with Dahn World are spreading, leading to a growing controversy.
In response, Big Hit Music, the label under Hybe that manages BTS, issued a notice on the 28th, announcing legal action against the various rumors surrounding BTS. Big Hit Music stated, ‘We have detected organized efforts to tarnish and slander BTS’s reputation. We consider these actions a serious infringement on the artist’s honor and are preparing a rigorous legal response by appointing additional law firms to our ongoing legal efforts.