Overview of the Incident

On October 12 KST, fans known as 'Team Bunnies,' a passionate streaming team dedicated to the K-pop sensation NewJeans, publicly criticized Bang Si Hyuk, the chairman of HYBE Labels. This comes as the National Assembly Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee gears up for its comprehensive audit.

Team Bunnies' Actions

Earlier this month, 'Team Bunnies' spearheaded a remarkable initiative dubbed "fax bombing," aimed at compelling the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee to summon Bang Si Hyuk as a witness to discuss the ongoing tensions between HYBE Labels and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.

Bang Si Hyuk's Absence

As of October 10 KST, it was confirmed that Bang Si Hyuk would not be called as a witness for the audit, despite earlier requests made on September 24 and October 10. Reportedly, his absence is attributed to his stay in the United States, where he seemingly prioritized personal enjoyment over important legislative responsibilities.

Team Bunnies' Discontent

'Team Bunnies' expressed their discontent, stating, "Hello, this is Team Bunnies. Although requests were made for Mr. Bang to appear before the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, he was ultimately not selected as a witness. On October 7 during the audit, several unresolved suspicions regarding HYBE arose, leading to the decision that additional questions were vital. Consequently, the Chief Operating Officer of HYBE, Kim Tae Ho, has been designated as the representative witness."

Conclusion of Witness Nomination Process

With the witness nomination process now concluded for the upcoming 2024 audit, the committee implored the public to refrain from submitting further requests to ensure they could focus on preparations.

Irony in Bang Si Hyuk's Actions

In a scathing remark, 'Team Bunnies' pointed out the apparent irony in Bang Si Hyuk's absence: "Mr. Bang Si Hyuk, while you may feel too busy to attend the National Assembly audit, it appears you have ample time to indulge in hamburgers and laughter in the U.S. with individuals half your age."

Implications for the K-pop Community

This controversy highlights the growing tension not only between fans and industry leaders but also within the K-pop community as transparency and accountability become increasingly demanded. As the K-pop landscape evolves, fans are sure to keep a close eye on how their idols' agencies conduct themselves, both domestically and internationally. Will this conflict spiral further, or will reconciliation be on the horizon? Only time will tell!