BTS And Big Hit Accused Of Sajaegi, Stealing Concept, Cult+Big Hit Announced Legal Actions

BTS, the group that created HYBE’s current success, was also dragged into its war with Min Hee Jin as they continuously appeared on the news with negative topics. Their controversies into the past were suddenly dug up again.

🔻1. ALLEGATION OF MUSIC CHART MANIPULATION

Recently, the verdict of A, who was prosecuted for extortion related to illegal marketing activities for Big Hit in 2017, is being spread online.

According to reports in 2017, A was prosecuted 8 times for threatening Big Hit officials to appropriate 57 million won by saying, “I have data on illegal marketing activities. If you don’t give money, I will reveal the information to the media.” A is known to have participated in fraudulent marketing for Big Hit and BTS.

Seoul Central Court explained why A was sentenced to 1 year in prison, “A’s crime is using secrets of his business partners to commit bad acts. However, we have considered that the victims also made the mistake of choosing fraudulent marketing, thereby giving the defendant an excuse to threaten them.”

As in the given judgment, the phrase “taking advantage of illegal marketing for blackmail” is clearly stated. It goes against Big Hit’s explanation in 2017, “A’s statement is one-sided and the illegal marketing mentioned is just a normal online viral marketing method.”

Additionally, in 2018, a netizen claiming to be A posted a screenshot that said, “BTS and illegal music sajaegi? I am the one who committed the crime” on the National Petition Board of the Blue House. The writer said, “I did sajaegi for BTS’ musical works. Because I did not receive compensation, I threatened the group’s management company. Because of that, I was accused and had to spend a year in jail. I lost everything. The management company announced that it was just a normal online marketing method. I tried to tell the truth to the press but they refused to write about the matter, that’s why I decided to write this post.”

🔻2. ACCUSATION OF CONCEPT THEFT:

On April 26 and 27, an account on X, B, a former model and magazine editor, shared Min Hee Jin’s press conference video with the caption “I also feel frustrated because my idea was stolen by that CEO.”

Netizens then dug up B’s tweets in 2022, accusing Bang Si Hyuk of stealing her idea to make BTS’s “HYYH” album photo set. “At that time, the group was still a rookie so things didn’t go well for them. The CEO came to me when he was about to go bankrupt and he wanted my advice as editor of ZUZN Magazine. He said he doesn’t understand what “charm” means in young men. Back then I thought the group was going in the wrong direction so I helped as much as I could. For the group’s next album, this CEO used the idea I mentioned to him. The album was a huge success. The members were photographed in the “steamy” and “soft yet romantic” style that ZUZN magazine is pioneering. In fact, the CEO worked with a photographer who also took photos for us. All I got from him was a meal. Later, in an interview, the CEO responded with the exact words I had told him. True to every word… I feel so unfair, but there’s no way to prove it. I don’t have any proof. The CEO took my ideas from that consulting session, rebranded his band and achieved great success. Then I applied to the company’s (Big Hit) art direction team. They said they would be happy to work with me, but I never heard back from him. Every time I look at that work I feel unfair. However, I decided to take it as a lesson learned to never share my valuable ideas with anyone anywhere again.”

🔻3. ACCUSATION OF INVOLVEMENT TO CULT:

On social media, HYBE is accused of being closely related to Dahn World, a cult masquerading as a business, founded by Lee Seung Heon. This man also founded Global Cyber ​​University, where BTS studied and promoted.

• Dahn World spreads the idea that humans and God are one, worshiping Mago, the goddess of the universe. GFRIEND’s last song is also called “Mago”.
• GFRIEND’s last album followed a modern witch concept, titled “回:Walpurgis Night” (German Christian holiday, fire rituals performed to ward off witches and evil spirits.)
• Walpurgis Night is held from the evening of April 30 to May 1. Many people speculate this has to do with GFRIEND disbanding in May and LE SSERAFIM debuting on May 2.

=> It is assumed that GFRIEND ended with a witch concept, LE SSERAFIM debuted 1 day later with a name related to Seraphim, a 6-winged angel serving next to God.

• LE SSERAFIM’s concept “UNFORGIVEN” contains images related to fire, referring to burning witches and banishing evil. There is also a photo of Kazuha wearing angel wings and holding a glowing ball, which is reminiscent of the goddess Mago.
• The lyrics of BTS’s song “Attack On Bangtan” are said to contain cult teachings.
• ILLIT’s “Magnetic” also has similarities with the teachings of Dahn World.
• The lyrics of the song “OMG” by NewJeans are meant to praise Dahn World: “dan neo-ppuniya” (I only have you, Dan), where “dan” refers to “Dahn World”.
• Many people believe that Min Hee Jin has taken steps to oppose this sect through NewJeans’ MV.

🔻NEW ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HYBE AND BIG HIT REGARDING THE ALLEGATIONS

• Regarding the music chart manipulation allegation, when asked by the press “Is this baseless news?”, Big Hit said “We will check again”.
• Regarding other issues, Big Hit responded, “The allegations raised are untrue and we will take legal action against the violation of artists’ rights.”