SEVENTEEN Fans Send Protest Truck to HYBE, Criticizing Pledis for Neglecting Artist Protection

Tensions between SEVENTEEN fans (Carats) and their agency, Pledis Entertainment under HYBE Labels, have reached a boiling point. On June 25, fans sent a protest truck to HYBE’s headquarters with a series of powerful messages accusing the agency of neglect, poor artist protection, and mishandling album distribution.

Protest Slogans Criticize Pledis and HYBE

The truck carried dozens of LED banners that strongly criticized the agency. Key messages included:

• “We’re even fighting for the right to rest. We’ll challenge this to the very end.”
• “Fans have protected the group, while the company turned its back.”
• “SEVENTEEN’s 6-month tour revenue ranks 3rd globally at 167 billion won. How much of that was used to protect the artists’ rights?”
• “Only 1 point for SEVENTEEN’s album? Pledis didn’t even distribute the album properly.”
• “Broadcast score: 0. Album score: 0. Rights protection: 0. Pledis: 0 points.”

These slogans reflect growing dissatisfaction among fans over what they call years of neglect, particularly in addressing malicious attacks from antifans and inconsistent album management.

Ongoing Controversies Fuel Fan Outrage

Previously, HYBE also came under fire for allegedly sabotaging SEVENTEEN’s HAPPY BURSTDAY album release by delaying shipments and limiting pre-orders during key promotion periods. Fans expressed outrage over the poor coordination, claiming it directly affected the group’s performance on music charts and public perception.

Fans also raised serious questions about Pledis Entertainment’s commitment to protecting SEVENTEEN through legal action. Many banners criticized the agency’s lack of transparency, asking, “You claimed to have sued years ago, but where are the results?” and accusing the company of complicity by stating, “Silence in front of antifans makes you an accomplice.” Carats also challenged Pledis to take real steps toward justice: “Want to be a trustworthy company? Start by taking legal action.” One particularly striking message warned, “If there’s no proper result this time, next time we’ll park the truck in front of the shareholder meeting. This is the money we helped you earn.”

The protest highlights growing scrutiny of HYBE Labels and its subsidiaries, especially amid increasing fan demand for transparent and effective artist protection. While SEVENTEEN continues to thrive globally, fans believe the company’s inaction is undermining the group’s hard-earned reputation.