K-pop Fandom Tensions Erupt: Le Sserafim & ILLIT Fans Protest NewJeans' Ador Return Amid HYBE Dispute
K-pop fans recently escalated tensions surrounding the industry giant HYBE, as supporters of girl groups Le Sserafim and ILLIT launched truck protests outside the company's Seoul headquarters. The demonstrations, orchestrated primarily by Chinese fan communities, expressed strong opposition to NewJeans' intended return to its label, Ador, following a tumultuous management dispute.
Truck Protests in Seoul's Yongsan District
On a recent Thursday, LED trucks emblazoned with pointed messages circled HYBE's building in Yongsan District. Displays included statements like, "We will not share any authority, including access to company facilities, with those who have maliciously targeted Le Sserafim," and a critical, "Feeling depressed just by walking near HYBE? The ones truly suffering are Le Sserafim and their fans." These protests underscore the deep-seated grievances simmering within the K-pop fandoms.
The Genesis of the Dispute: Min Hee-jin vs. HYBE
The genesis of this uproar traces back to an earlier, highly publicized management conflict involving former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and HYBE. During this period, NewJeans had expressed an intent to terminate its exclusive contract with Ador, implicating both Le Sserafim and ILLIT in the process, which ignited significant friction between the groups' respective fanbases and agencies.
Min Hee-jin had previously made allegations that ILLIT's concept was a copy of NewJeans', claiming HYBE disregarded her concerns. She also asserted that NewJeans' debut had been deliberately delayed to prioritize Le Sserafim. These claims led to legal repercussions, with Source Music (Le Sserafim's agency) and Belift Lab (ILLIT's agency) filing damages suits against Min, arguing her comments harmed their artists. In retaliation, Min Hee-jin filed her own charges against Belift Lab CEO Kim Tae-ho and others for alleged defamation.
Escalating Fandom Tensions and Agency Responses
The legal and managerial strife spilled over into the online sphere, fueling a sharp increase in malicious comments targeting Le Sserafim and ILLIT. This amplified the already strained relations between the fandoms.
Following NewJeans' unsuccessful lawsuit seeking validation for their exclusive contract with Ador, and their subsequent notification on November 12 of their intention to return to the label, the calls for enhanced artist protection from Le Sserafim and ILLIT's fans and agencies intensified. Both Belift Lab and Source Music swiftly responded to the rising tide of online abuse. Belift Lab stated on November 14 that despite some members being minors, they continue to endure anonymous online attacks. The agency announced bolstered monitoring efforts and a commitment to take stronger legal action against defamatory content. Source Music echoed this sentiment, confirming a significant surge in malicious posts aimed at Le Sserafim and outlining its own plans for robust legal recourse.
This ongoing situation highlights the volatile intersection of corporate disputes, fan loyalty, and digital harassment within the high-stakes world of K-pop.