Did South Korean media delete 'Min Hee Jin's attack on BTS' comment? ARMY points to possible mediaplay
BTS fans trended several hashtags and phrases on X (formerly known as Twitter), such as "ARMY WANT MHJ OUT OF HYBE".
Updated : September 19, 2024 12:46 PM ISTBTS fans trended several hashtags and phrases on X (formerly known as Twitter), such as "ARMY WANT MHJ OUT OF HYBE".
Min Hee Jin's attack on BTS
Since the global group Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) went on hiatus to complete their mandatory South Korean military service, things have not been easy for the members, even in their absence from the limelight. From rumours to unverified accusations, media play, and agencies trying to find the "Next BTS"—a lot has happened in two years.
ALSO READ | NewJeans ready to leave HYBE? Girls give agency 2-week ultimatum to restore Min Hee Jin as ADOR CEO
Now, embroiled in the ongoing conflict between HYBE and ADOR (a label under the conglomerate), the former CEO Min Hee Jin had dragged the boys into the fight, despite them having no involvement. ARMY has since been vocal about their disdain for the company, Min Hee Jin, and the media for portraying the seven members in a negative light, especially when they cannot defend themselves.
Meanwhile, a lawyer's claim about ARMYs supporting Min Hee Jin enraged the fandom. According to a Korean news agency, an Attorney Kim pointed out that even BTS' management was problematic for HYBE and wrote, "HYBE needs to think carefully about why ARMY is not on HYBE's side, even though former CEO Min tried to attack BTS."
This did not sit well with ARMY, who trended several hashtags and phrases on X (formerly known as Twitter), such as "ARMY WANT MHJ OUT OF HYBE," #MinHeeJinOut, #ARMYSWantMHJOut, and #Dont_Use_BTS_and_ARMY, while also demanding the complete removal of the former CEO, who still holds a position in the company.
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However, the Korean outlet that first broke the news has now changed its stance and made changes to the sentence, "HYBE needs to think carefully about why ARMY is not on HYBE's side," removing "even though former CEO Min tried to attack BTS" part, further infuriating ARMY. Many now claim that Min Hee Jin must have had a hand in the changes made to the article.
Lee Seonmyeong has cut off the part from his article where the lawyer admitted that Min Heejin had tried to attack BTS.
— BTS Protect (@_btsprotect) September 18, 2024
Original article: 16 Sept
Modified on: 17 Sept pic.twitter.com/L4nQgq0SzT
You might be able to gaslight and fool idiotic knetz, but we haven't forgotten how you:
— Moonchild (@MimiMyMochi) September 16, 2024
1. wanted BTS gone for your own benefit
2. wanted to "end" BTS to hurt Hybe
3. spread malicious lies about multiple Hybe groups
4. supported SA and hated on women
... and more#MinHeeJinOut pic.twitter.com/HclNvubTeZ
Damn he is in big problem lmao he edited the part where tht kim attorney accepted mhj tried to attack BTS
— sha⁷아포방포🫶 FESTA💜¹⁰fan acc •᷄ɞ•᷅ (@forever_rain58) September 18, 2024
IT WAS LOUD N CLEAR ARMY ARENT ON MIN HEE JIN SIDE, WE R HERE FOR BTS N ANYONE TRIED TO HARM THEM AS WE ALREADY KNW FRM START NEED TO LEAVE HYBE#MinHeeJinOut#민희진아웃 https://t.co/XAMR9kXMUZ pic.twitter.com/h3JiayiNug
Media manipulation is reaching new levels everyday. We have articles trending claiming that ARMY are on Min Hee Jin's side and articles questioning the real intent of a member's post. Don't use BTS as pawns in your own game!#MinHeeJinOut #Dont_Use_BTS_and_ARMY pic.twitter.com/lSQ1FxwK2M
— paula⁷ (@sugatheartist) September 16, 2024
HYBE vs Min Hee Jin:
In April 2024, HYBE Corporation launched an internal audit into former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin after discovering her alleged plans to take over ADOR and NewJeans, and then leave HYBE. The company filed a criminal lawsuit against her for breach of contract and disclosing company secrets while asking her to step down.
Leaked KakaoTalk chats reportedly showed Min wishing for BTS to leave HYBE, and she was accused of conspiring with executives from Dunamu and Naver, as well as a foreign investor, to crash HYBE’s stock. Dunamu, HYBE's third-largest shareholder, alerted the company to the plan.
HYBE held an emergency shareholders meeting on May 30, 2024, to remove her as CEO. However, Min filed a temporary injunction that prevented HYBE, which owns 80% of ADOR, from using its majority rights to dismiss her. Despite this, ADOR's independent board dismissed Min on August 28, 2024, and appointed Kim Joo-young as the new label head.
Min was offered the role of in-house creative director for NewJeans, which she refused. Shortly after, NewJeans appeared on YouTube demanding her reappointment as CEO.
On September 13, 2024, Min filed another injunction to call a shareholders meeting to reinstate herself as CEO. Her current contract as NewJeans' creative director expires in November 2024, but if her performance is deemed unsatisfactory, HYBE could terminate her contract by the end of that month.