BTS agency HYBE reacts to rumours of ‘surreptitious chart manipulation’

HYBE stated, "We have filed several complaints with the investigative agency... we want to clarify once again that there is no connection between BIGHIT MUSIC and BTS and Body & Brain."

HYBE has issued a firm statement regarding legal actions taken against individuals engaged in malicious acts targeting their artists, including BTS, TXT, and SEVENTEEN. BigHit Music, representing BTS, emphasised that there is no affiliation between BTS and Body & Brain.

The agency categorically stated that the "rumours of surreptitious chart manipulation and unethical marketing are a product of fabrication and completely unconnected to the artist.”

They continued, "We have filed several complaints with the investigative agency... we want to clarify once again that there is no connection between BIGHIT MUSIC and BTS and Body & Brain. Circulating rumours alleging the artist’s or the artist’s lyrics’ association with Body & Brain are fictitious. Upon discovering Body & Brain’s illegal use of BTS’s intellectual property rights, we promptly demanded the removal of the content in question and received a commitment to prevent any future occurrences.”

“Should similar issues arise in the future, we will take decisive legal action to uphold and protect the artists’ intellectual property rights in line with our principle. Likewise, in February, we communicated a cease and desist request to Global Cyber University to stop the unauthorised use of BTS’ intellectual property rights. We also want to make clear that rumours of surreptitious chart manipulation and unethical marketing are a product of fabrication and completely unconnected to the artist,” the statement also read.

It stated, "Apart from the authors of the malicious posts, we are taking separate legal action against those who violated the artist’s privacy. We are also pursuing civil and criminal cases against so-called 'cyber wreckers', including the YouTube channel ‘Sojang'...An additional civil suit was filed earlier this year to seek damages for defamation and other illegal acts committed by ‘Sojang’ and is expected to go to trial soon. As for the previous complaints filed, multiple cases were forwarded to the prosecutor’s office, and the suspects are awaiting disposition. We will endeavour to make sure that the suspects are held accountable regardless of how long it may take.”

A part of TXT's statement said, "Notably, we have identified activities centred around online communities indicating a coordinated effort to spread false information in order to undermine the achievement that TOMORROW X TOGETHER has built with their fans and harm the artist’s reputation. As such, they have been included in our complaints. In addition, we are taking legal action against malicious posts about the artist regardless of the channel, be it social networking platforms or online communities."