Seungkwan (SEVENTEEN) fires back at Sociopaths-R-Us: HYBE drama/discussion post
As some of you are probably already aware, HYBE is currently scrambling to do some damage control after a number of its internal documents were disclosed during a National Assembly audit. The documents are a shit show. I really can't summarize them in one go, but if you want to take a look at some of the most recently released and translated contents, be my guest.
The artists mentioned in the translated portions linked above: Treasure, LE SSERAFIM, aespa, NewJeans, Seventeen, RIIZE, IVE (especially Jang Wonyoung), Park Jinyoung, BlackPink, AKMU's Lee Chanhyuk, NMIXX (especially Haewon, Sullyoon, and former member Jinni), BABYMONSTER, ZEROBASEONE, BTS (especially Jungkook and V), VCHA, TripleS, and (G)i-dle.
Today, Seungkwan fired back. For context, Seungkwan (and SEVENTEEN) are under Pledis, which is itself under HYBE. I do not have an instagram account, so I've provided the English translation for Seungkwan's post under a spoiler cut. It is very long.
[Spoiler (click to open)]I no longer want to see anyone being hurt or hurting others.
As I’ve watched many events unfold, I’ve tried to tell myself that it would all somehow pass. I’ve suppressed my feelings and continued to work hard with my members, just as I always have. But now, I can no longer just stand by and hope for the situation to resolve itself. For the people I care about-my fans and my members, and for all my colleagues who are working hard even in this moment-I feel I can’t remain silent any longer.
To some, this might seem like complaints, and to others, it might come off as short-sighted, but I still want to muster the courage to speak up.
Being a celebrity is a choice I've made, and while there are aspects I must endure because of the love I receive, I don’t believe it should be a job that requires us to suffer and eat away at ourselves until we’re on the brink of collapse.
I just wanted to do my best and take responsibility for the tasks given to me, to repay the fans who love me, and to share the good energy I can in various ways. The truth is, the burden, pressure, and fatigue-both physically and mentally-are so overwhelming that it’s hard to put into words.
Still, even in this moment, we have to keep going. Some people look at things rationally, some smile positively, and others endure despite the hardships, trying to survive. I chose this path, so I have to bear it, but today, that reason feels particularly cruel and harsh.
Some days are sunny, and some days are cloudy; today feels especially overcast for me. Have there not been days when I tried to stay positive? Have there not been days when I tried to smile, no matter what? Yet today is not easy, and I feel sorry for those who are also hurting in this moment. It’s frustrating that I can't embrace everyone. I wonder if my clumsy and awkward words can resonate with someone or offer any comfort.
Including our members, the colleagues and friends I know who work hard in the vast K-pop industry are truly people who love this work sincerely and purely. They sometimes get hurt because they care so deeply, and they also feel emptiness from that love. Yet, day by day, they live giving and receiving love for themselves, for their members, for their families, and for their fans.
I want to make this clear: we are not people who have simply coasted along and are easily judged by you. We have experienced pain, faced challenges, and fought to overcome them, all while striving to show our best selves to our fans on stage. I hope you don’t take idols lightly.
Just looking back at a week of music broadcasts drains all my energy. Even while managing ads, events, performances, and other schedules, there are many colleagues who greet me with warm smiles, even more than I do. Every time that happens, I smile and greet them back. That's about all I can offer them. When they greet us with such vibrant smiles, that moment feels precious and appreciated. Behind what may seem like a formal greeting, a single line from a colleague’s message in an album can rejuvenate a weary day. My only wish is for everyone to stay healthy and not suffer.
I also appreciate the challenge culture. Whether it's with close friends or strangers, creating a challenge video where colleagues dance together outside of the stage is a beautiful and wonderful way to make memories during our youth. If fans enjoy watching that, even better. Even with someone I don’t know well, being able to share a little encouragement at the end of a shoot, despite any awkwardness, is nice. If we can meet with a sense of respect and be of help to each other, I believe that alone holds meaning and is something to be grateful for.
I need to make an effort myself, but I hope we can all become a little warmer. If we can look at each other with warmth, support, and love, perhaps things could improve a bit. Watching someone fall apart and ultimately give up is something I really dislike. I sincerely wish for there to be no more wounds that cannot be taken responsibility for. I don’t want to see myself, our members, all our hardworking colleagues, the staff who give their all for us, or our fans getting hurt anymore. To the fans who love us warmly even in this moment, I want to say I’m sorry and that I love you.
In response to this, SEVENTEEN's fans have organized a boycott of HYBE.
Korea Herald, Seungkwan, HYBE, Seventeen fans
I used imgBB for the photo, mods! Hope that works!
To everyone else, I don't have time right now to read a bunch of articles and translated posts to cover everything being reported, so if you'd like to share in the comments, please do.