PremiumControversy erupts as MBC says 'BTS laid groundwork, SEVENTEEN built HYBE building'; ARMY demand apology
ARMYs pointed out that PLEDIS Entertainment was acquired in May 2020, after BTS and their label BigHit Entertainment had already laid the groundwork in 2019.
Last Updated: 06.32 PM, Apr 21, 2024
It is a well-known fact that the agency HYBE Lable did not exist before BTS gained worldwide popularity and established a strong presence in various global music markets. Following the establishment of HYBE Label, the company acquired several other groups, including agencies like PLEDIS Entertainment, which manages the group SEVENTEEN.
Now, both groups are engaged in a back-and-forth dispute due to claims made on MBC TV's South Korean variety show 'Hangout With Yoo'. The show stated that 'BTS laid the groundwork for the HYBE headquarters and SEVENTEEN helped build it up'. This statement did not sit well with BTS fans, ARMY, who demanded a correction and even an apology.
What exactly happened on the show?
On April 20, a teaser for the next episode of 'Hangout With Yoo', featuring SEVENTEEN's sub-unit BSS as guest stars, was released. Host Yoo Jae Suk and other main cast members visited the multi-label entertainment company to facilitate this meeting. The clip prominently showcased the grandeur of one of the buildings, with the caption reading: "The HYBE headquarters built up by SEVENTEEN".
The BTS ARMY soon voiced its disappointment with K-media 'disrespecting BTS' legacy'. While SEVENTEEN fans, CARATs, stated that it is not their favourite group's fault what appears in the captions, ARMYs pointed out that PLEDIS Entertainment was acquired in May 2020, after BTS and their label BigHit Entertainment had already laid the groundwork in 2019.
Following the backlash, MBC reframed the statement to 'Welcome to HYBE's headquarters. Even the members were in awe of the new building', but ARMYs remain dissatisfied with the lack of credit given to BTS by Korean media.
Many ARMYs took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their disappointment, with some even sharing statistics on HYBE's revenue from BTS alone, despite the group being on hiatus due to mandatory military service.
More about BTS and SEVENTEEN:
BTS, the global phenomenon, made their debut in 2013 with '2 Cool 4 Skool'. Everything they do becomes global news due to their dedicated fanbase worldwide, thanks to their self-produced songs, heartfelt lyrics, and dynamic performances. The seven members – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook – have become synonymous with K-pop, especially when discussing the genre. Currently, all members are fulfilling their mandatory military service and are scheduled to return as a group in 2025.
As for SEVENTEEN, the group consists of members S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino. They are known for their dynamic performances, synchronized choreography, and self-produced music. The members are divided into vocal, hip-hop, and performance units and made their debut in 2015. They too have garnered a global fanbase and numerous awards.