HYBE Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Ties to Former First Lady Amid Controversial Hiring Incident

According to reports by NoCut News, HYBE brought on board a man identified as Mr. Kim, husband of Ms. Cho, a top aide to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Mr. Kim joined HYBE’s External Cooperation Team around July 2, only to resign shortly after, just as public investigations into Kim Keon Hee intensified.

When contacted, a HYBE representative explained that Mr. Kim was hired for the National Assembly liaison team through standard procedures, adding: “He briefly joined the company but then resigned.” Another official noted that Mr. Kim did not disclose his familial connections during the hiring process, stating, “Under current regulations, the company cannot check an applicant’s family connections.”

Mr. Kim previously served as a Policy Aide to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, a position seen as politically sensitive. His appointment had already raised questions, given his lack of electoral or legislative experience — qualifications typically expected for such posts. Some critics alleged that his career progression may have been influenced by behind-the-scenes support from Ms. Cho, adding to suspicions about political favoritism.

This controversy comes at a precarious time for HYBE, whose founder and chairman Bang Si Hyuk is currently under investigation for fraudulent trading. Financial regulators recently announced their intention to press criminal charges under the Capital Markets Act, further straining the company’s public image.

As news of the incident spread, international fans and commentators speculated on possible political entanglements within the former administration, questioning how far the influence may have extended and what unseen consequences it might have had. With multiple layers of controversy now converging on HYBE, the company faces growing calls for transparency and accountability — both from domestic watchdogs and the global K-pop community.