Remember the Weverse Magazine journalist who turned out to be the writer behind the notorious leak of HYBE internal documents? Well, after all the commotions, Weverse Magazine decided to issue a formal apology and cut off all ties related to former journalist and HYBE internal documents writer Kang Myung Seok. Dive deeper into the magazine’s statement with us in the official report below.
Weverse Magazine Issues Official Apology on HYBE Documents Leak
The leak of HYBE internal documents has become the biggest controversy within the Kpop music industry this year. Aside from the fact that such a problematic report was authorized by HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk himself, the writer of these notorious internal documents turned out to be the very person behind BTS’s 10th-anniversary book and Weverse Magazine editor-in-chief, Kang Myung Seok.
Since the fact that such a well-known journalist could possibly write a subjective and biased opinion in a formal report, the public had been furious, resulting in a national petition to remove HYBE’s status as one of South Korea’ “Top Enterprise.” This petition has gained over 51 thousand formal signatures from South Korean citizens, reaching 100% of the required quotas.
Considering that the controversy has grown massive, Weverse Magazine decided to issue an official apology.
“This is the Weverse Magazine Team.
Weverse Magazine
We sincerely apologize to our valued readers for any inconvenience and concern caused by issues arising from a monitoring document.”
Cutting Ties to Former Editor-in-Chief and Writer Kang Myung Seok
Further in the apology statement, Weverse Magazine had also cut all ties with the writer behind HYBE internal documents leak, Kang Myung Seok. According to Weverse, Kang Myung Seok worked on HYBE internal documents by himself as an independent project, separated from his position as Weverse Magazine writer and editor-in-chief.
“The document in question was created solely by the former editor-in-chief as part of a separate assignment. The existence of this document was unknown to the Weverse Magazine team members.
Weverse Magazine
Aside from the former editor-in-chief, no current team members or external contributors involved in the production of Weverse Magazine participated in the creation of the monitoring document.”
Not only that, but following the controversial leak, Weverse Magazine had dismissed HYBE internal documents writer Kang Myung Seok from his position in the media company. They are also determined to “clean the house.” The company also claimed to have removed all individuals involved with HYBE’s Weekly Industry Report.
In the end, Weverse Magazine also made it clear that they had no part in creating the problematic report and claimed to oppose the existence of the report.
“The former editor-in-chief has been relieved of their position and is no longer involved in any Weverse Magazine activities. Additionally, personnel enlisted by the former editor-in-chief specifically for monitoring tasks have also ceased their involvement.
Weverse Magazine
Weverse Magazine is not connected to the controversial monitoring document, and our team members clearly oppose the existence of such a document.”
More Skepticism and Backlash from Kpop Communities
Days after the apology statement circulated, Korean netizens began commenting on online community forums. Since the controversy has been escalating to the point of no return, Korean netizens have expressed their skepticism.
It was especially concerning since the internal documents leak was only 20 of the original 1000-page report, and Writer Kang Myung Seok couldn’t possibly compile everything alone.
- “Impressive move to cut ties like that.”
- “They’re acting totally clueless and pretending they had no involvement, lol.”
- “Thanks for giving me a good laugh this weekend.”
- “This whole cutting ties act is wild, lol.”
- “Honestly, if someone from their team messed up, they should be apologizing to the artist and the company first, but all they’re doing is making excuses.”
- “Why don’t they just own up to it? Feels like they’re just trying to cover themselves, lol.”
- “Who’s actually buying this, lol.”
- “So they’re saying this person did all that on their own with no direction from anyone?”
- “One person couldn’t possibly have gathered all those rumors by themselves, lol.”
- “Do they think people are that gullible?”
- “So that part about ‘Weverse Magazine members’ being on vacation for a week is just made up? Can they explain that? lol.”
- “They’re full of it. The report clearly says the team’s on break this week because of a vacation. Every time they speak, it’s another lie—so frustrating.”
- “No real apology or accountability—just typical HYBE.”
- “They’re all denying it, lol.”
It’s concerning that Weverse Magazine’s team claims they had no knowledge of a document compiled by their own editor-in-chief until it became a public issue.This points to either a serious lack of oversight or an attempt to shift all blame onto a person to protect broader team
— Ayan (@ayan_wrld) November 10, 2024
We all have already seen emails and recipients of that weekly reports. All executives were involved. Shameless cowards can't even admit their guilt
— Kvas ambassador (@slaytokki) November 10, 2024
So you're deciding to put the blame on 1 person even though it was distributed to multiple executives for many years and nobody said anything about it except Min Hee Jin. And we know what you decided to do with her. Now you're apologizing after you're caught. https://t.co/oAh59hhLrS
— p2tokki (@p2tokki) November 10, 2024
Will This Enough to Appease the Public?
Finally, it is truly a wonder how much more shocking the controversy will get. Do you think all these public apologies are enough to appease the public?
In your opinion, is it still necessary for HYBE to apologize personally to each and every artist as well as the company involved in the report? Please share your thoughts with us below.
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Source: Weverse Magazine, OSEN, Instiz, TheQoo.
