NewJeans Fans: Bang Si-hyuk Too Busy for National Assembly, But Flirts with People Half His Age in the US
On October 12, a post was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the account Team Bunnies, a major account representing NewJeans’ fans in Korea, stating, “On October 10 and 24, Bang Si-hyuk was scheduled as a witness for the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee audit, but due to his stay in the US, he was not selected as a final witness.”
They added, “However, unresolved suspicions related to HYBE during the October 7 hearing have led to the final decision to summon Kim Tae-ho, HYBE’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), as a witness to address additional inquiries.”
The post continued, “As the process of selecting witnesses for the 2024 National Assembly audit of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee has been completed, we ask that you refrain from requesting additional witness applications so that focus is placed on the preparation for the audit. Thank you”
In a sarcastic note, the post concluded, “Bang Si-hyuk, who is apparently too busy to attend the audit, seems to have time to chat and eat hamburgers with women half his age in the US,” along with a photo showing Bang smiling as he sat at a table with a woman.
Upon seeing Team Bunnies’ statement, netizens responded with comments such as “He should focus on managing the company,” and “While the company is in chaos, female idols are suffering from hate comments, and one person’s future activities are uncertain, the chairman is casually enjoying himself.”
On the other hand, last month, NewJeans member Hanni revealed during a live broadcast that a harassment incident had occurred inside HYBE’s building. A manager from Belift Lab was allegedly heard telling another artist to “ignore” Hanni.
Belift Lab denied the accusations, prompting the mothers of NewJeans members to give interviews clarifying their stance.
On October 10, the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee confirmed the list of witnesses for the audit scheduled for October 22 and 24, including Belift Lab’s CEO and HYBE’s COO Kim Tae-ho.
Previously, Team Bunnies had sent faxes and emails to members of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, urging them to include HYBE’s executive team, including Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, CEO Lee Jae-sang, and Chief Communications Officer Park Tae-hee, in the list of witnesses for the audit.
Initially, a committee official indicated that it was a “sensitive matter” and the committee had no intention of summoning HYBE officials. However, the situation changed when Hanni announced her intention to attend the National Assembly’s audit for the Economic, Social, and Labor Council and the Ministry of Employment and Labor on October 15.
Team Bunnies has also filed legal complaints against HYBE and ADOR officials.
Source: Nate
