HYBE seeks US Court's help to expose slanderous X account targeting BTS and LE SSERAFIM amid controversies

On May 30, 2024, it was revealed that HYBE had petitioned a US court to compel the social media platform Twitter (now X) to disclose the identity of a defamatory account.

BTS' agency HYBE has recently come under intense scrutiny due to a series of controversies, including a heated feud with ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, accusations of chart manipulation, and issues involving NewJeans. In response, fans of BTS and LE SSERAFIM have rallied together, urging HYBE to take stricter actions against those slandering their favourite artists. Amidst these demands, HYBE has sought assistance from a US court to unmask the individual behind a defamatory X (formerly Twitter) account.

On May 30, 2024, it was revealed that HYBE had petitioned a US court to compel the social media platform Twitter (now X) to disclose the identity of a defamatory account. This account, accused of harassing and slandering BTS and LE SSERAFIM, has been the subject of a legal case filed by HYBE. The case, initiated on May 2, 2024, involves the X account with the username @guiltyarchive and was filed at the Seoul Yongsan Police Station.

The legal action was a response to a deluge of requests from fans of the boy band, urging HYBE to offer better protection to their artists amid ongoing tensions between HYBE and ADOR. Fans have been vocally advocating online and offline for the label to take legal and decisive actions against social media users who engage in defamatory behaviour and attack their idols.

The posts in question explicitly targeted BTS and LE SSERAFIM, prompting HYBE to seek help from the San Francisco Division of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where X’s headquarters are located. This legal move underscores the serious nature of the accusations and HYBE’s commitment to safeguarding its artists from online harassment.

In another significant development on May 30, 2024, the South Korean court ruled in favour of ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin by granting her injunction stay. This ruling prevents HYBE from removing her from her position. While HYBE has stated that they will not pursue her removal, they have indicated that they will continue to take appropriate legal actions. This suggests that the dispute between HYBE and Min Hee Jin is far from over.