Public Sentiment Sours Amid BTS’s Chart Manipulation Probe

Netizens criticized media reports claiming that BTS were victims of misinformation.

On May 7, a post titled “BTS Are The Sacrificial Lamb Amid HYBE And Min Hee Jin Fight… Victims Of Rumors” went viral.

In the post, the author uploaded a Newsis article in which the publication quoted foreign media outlets that claimed false rumors were wrongfully targeting BTS.

International outlets didn’t report on the rumors due to the lack of evidence, but Korean media outlets focused on the allegations. BTS may be a target of misinformation.

— French media quoted by Newsis

The rumors in question allude to allegations claiming that Big Hit Music had manipulated music charts in favor of BTS. Recently, the Korean government ordered an investigation into the allegation after a 2017 court ruling resurfaced, in which a Seoul District Court ruled that it had found evidence of manipulation.

Korean Government To Order Investigation On BTS’s “Sajaegi” Allegations

Korean netizens responded to the report with anger, with many objecting to the classification of the allegations as merely rumors or misinformation. Many pointed to the 2017 court ruling as fact and that an investigation was absolutely warranted.

• “Rumors? Am I misunderstanding the definition of the word?”
• “Laughing at the use of ‘Rumor,’ are they preparing to feed us more bulls#it?”
• “The court ruling is a fact, so it will be hard to manipulate this through media play.”
• “This makes you guys so unlikable. Really embarrassing.”
• “Oh, so a court ruling is a rumor now…”
• “They are calling the court ruling a rumor now.”
• “Korean courts be like: ????”
• “HYBE is claiming victim after reaping the benefits (of their manipulation).”

Stay tuned for updates.