K-pop Stars Send Ultimatum to Managers in Rare Industry Revolt
- NewJeans wants their longtime producer reinstated by Sept. 25
- The ultimatum underscores a deepening rift within Hybe
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Popular K-pop group NewJeans took to Youtube to demand Hybe Co. reinstate their ousted long-time producer by Sept. 25, escalating an ongoing dispute and stunning an industry controlled by a handful of powerful management firms.
Hybe’s shares dived as much as 6.2% — their biggest intraday fall in a month — after the five-member group announced their demands in a surprise Youtube live-stream Wednesday evening. The women accused Hybe of discrimination and called for measures to protect NewJeans, one of the most lucrative and popular K-pop bands that generated 100 billion won ($73 million) of revenue last year, according to a company filing.